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NBA Betting: Mavericks' fight back despite Cuban distraction

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The Dallas Mavericks have not been the same team since an epic defeat two years ago and, while their owner is the most flamboyant in the NBA, his antics have been a major distraction to his team, says Nick Shiambouros.

Just two seasons ago the Dallas Mavericks were leading the Miami Heat by 13 points in the fourth quarter of game three of the NBA finals. Dallas were also leading the series 2-0 and it looked like the sun was finally going down on a tired looking Miami team. A certain player by the name of Dwyane Wade had other ideas and singlehandedly dragged the Heat back to an epic victory scoring 42 points and a deserved MVP award.

Dallas never managed to win another game in the series and lost 4-2 to Miami. The Mavericks have not looked like the same team ever since that fourth quarter meltdown and head coach Avery Johnson became another NBA casualty last year as a result of a poor season.

Team owner Mark Cuban was a Maverick's season ticket holder before he bought the team in 2000. This self-made billionaire sits very close to the action and even wears a team shirt while cheering on his team.

Cuban is certainly the most flamboyant owner in basketball but his antics have been a major distraction to this team. He has been fined several million dollars over the years for comments he made about officiating and personal attacks on commissioner David Stern. But he just shrugs it all off.

Even some players have commented on how nervous they are when Cuban is feet away from them during a game. Nobody likes to lose but having this guy in your face during a game is not on in my view.

On a positive note, Cuban doubles the amount of fines from the NBA and donates the money to charity.

After another poor start to the season, the Mavericks have made a spirited comeback and have won seven from the last 10 games to keep them in the play-off hunt. Dirk Nowitzki is the team's leader and averages 26 points per game.

Nowitzki is fully aware of how important each game is in this very tough Western Conference and he has raised his game over the last few weeks. This team does not lack in the talent department with players like Jason Terry and Josh Howard in the line-up. In addition the Mavericks acquired veteran Jason Kidd last year and he brings consistency and balance to this team.

I think the Mavericks are a team to follow at the moment as the intensity level has been raised as we approach the All Star break in early February.

They have a reasonably easy schedule until they play Detroit on the 23rd of January so they should continue this good run. The waters get a lot deeper after that, they have to travel to Boston so they need to make hay right now.

All in all this team is way too talented not to make the playoffs but this team has gone through periods of losing concentration and focus which is why they are fighting for a play-off berth.

Every member of the team has a flat screen television by his locker courtesy of Mark Cuban. As long as the players don't turn them on and stay focused the playoffs await them.

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