Mavericks Playoff Hopes Hanging by a Thread After Heartbreaking OT Defeat to Hawks

• The Dallas Mavericks' playoff hopes are slipping away after a tough overtime defeat against the Atlanta Hawks
• Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 41 points but gave a costly foul with 1.8 seconds left
• Trae Young sank the resulting free throws to hand Dallas their seventh defeat in eight games

The Dallas Mavericks' hopes of making the playoffs this season are quickly fading away after another defeat.

They lost 130-132 to the Atlanta Hawks in an overtime thriller, condemning them to their seventh defeat in eight games.

The game had everything. The Hawks survived Kyrie Irving's 41 points, the Mavericks came back from 15 down, and Luka Doncic underwhelmed before Irving gave up a costly foul late in the game.

The foul saw Hawks' Trae Young sink two game-winning free throws with 1.8 seconds remaining.

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Despite erasing a double-digit deficit, the Mavericks wasted two glorious chances to win the game at the line. Christian Wood and JaVale McGee each missed one of two free throws to send the game to overtime, per the Athletic.

Jason Kidd's team are now 11th in the West, falling to 37-42 with three games left to play in the regular season. The good news is that their remaining three games against Sacramento, Chicago and San Antonio are all at home.

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When Dallas traded for Irving before the Feb 9 deadline, they were regarded as a serious contender. How did they go from that to being out of a play-in spot with a few games to go?

Irving said there is a glimmer of hope.

"We still have a glimmer of hope, a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel of where we can still sneak in. But at the same time, I’m at peace with just our effort, with spurts throughout the games. We’ve just got to be able to finish better as a team,” via Dallas Morning News.

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McGee said the result hurt. He finished with 11 points and six rebounds off the bench.

“It hurts bad, knowing we all put our hearts out there to try to get that win,” said McGee, "It doesn’t feel good to be in this position, at all.”

They are half a game behind Oklahoma City Thunder who occupy the last play-in spot. Can they pull off a miracle in the remaining games?

Miami Heat beat Dallas

Sports Brief earlier reported on the Mavericks losing 129-122 to the Miami Heat.

Dallas allowed 129 points to the team which is dead last in points per game. The Heat survived a 42-point masterclass from Doncic to boost their own playoff hopes.

The Mavericks will need to play perfect basketball in their remaining games to have a chance.