ESPN Numbers Guru: Mavs To Go 45-37, Tie For Sixth in the Western Conference

My favorite time of the year is almost upon us: the beginning of the NBA season. I read a ton of basketball writers, but the one I trust the most when it comes to predictions is ESPN numbers savant John Hollinger. His figures, more often than not, are right on the money. So I hope that he’s wrong about the Mavs’ chances this year:

More likely, they’ll end up as one of the “tweeners” in the West — far better than the bulk of the conference, but not nearly good enough to challenge the likes of Houston, Utah and the Lakers for supremacy. If so, let’s just hope it doesn’t lead to any more panic moves.