The Dallas Mavericks are set to tackle the Phoenix Suns on Sunday in Sport 7 of the Western Convention Semifinals. The winner strikes on to the Western Convention Finals to tackle the Golden State Warriors. The loser will get to start out their summer time trip early.

The Mavericks haven’t performed in very many Sport 7’s over the course of their franchise historical past. They’ve solely participated in seven winner take all matches, partly as a result of they have been established within the Eighties. The Boston Celtics, as an example, have performed in 33 Sport 7’s.

So earlier than the Mavericks tackle the Suns, right here’s a breakdown of each Sport 7 the Mavericks have performed:

1988 Western Convention Finals

The 1987-88 Mavericks featured a deep squad decided to avenge a surprising playoff upset the earlier yr. The 1986-87 Mavericks received 55 video games and entered the postseason because the No. 2-seed within the Western Convention, however misplaced within the first spherical in 4 video games to the No. 7-seed Seattle SuperSonics.

That squad returned in 1987-88 with one objective—win a championship or bust. The crew featured Derek Harper, Rolando Blackman, Mark Aguirre, Sam Perkins, and James Donaldson. They completed the season because the No. 3-seed and cruised by way of the primary two rounds of the playoffs. Sadly, they bumped into the Los Angeles Lakers, who have been on the again finish of the one of many best dynasties in NBA historical past.

The house crew received each recreation of the collection (sound acquainted?), with the Mavericks forcing a Sport 7 after tight 105-103 Sport 6 win in Dallas. The Mavericks hoped to hold momentum again to Los Angeles with them, and for some time, they did. Dallas trailed 54-53 at halftime, and 87-79 after the third quarter. However Magic Johnson took over within the fourth quarter, and the Mavericks had no reply. They ended up dropping their first Sport 7 in franchise historical past 117-102.

2003 Western Convention Quarterfinals

The 2002-03 Mavericks nearly made the worst sort of historical past. After taking a 3-0 collection lead in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers, the No. 3-seed Dallas proceeded to lose three video games in a row to the No. 6-seed Portland. They even entered the fourth quarter of Sport 7 down by two.

However the Mavericks have been rescued by a 31 level effort by Dirk Nowitzki. Nick Van Exel chipped in 26 factors on 10-of-15 taking pictures. “This was a bodily and mentally draining collection,’’ stated Michael Finley after the sport. “Nothing Sacramento can do shall be harder than what we confronted right here.’’ The Mavericks would quickly discover out true that was.

2003 Western Convention Semifinals

The Mavericks caught a break within the second spherical of the 2003 playoffs in opposition to the Sacramento Kings when the Kings’ finest participant, Chris Webber, went down with a knee damage in Sport 2. Nonetheless, the groups traded video games backwards and forwards all collection, till they reached Sport 7 in Dallas.

They have been buoyed but once more by Nowitzki, who scored 30 factors and grabbed 19 rebounds. The remainder of the roster stepped up as properly, with one other nice efficiency by Van Exel, who scored 23 factors. Steve Nash and Finley scored 18 factors every, with Nash allotting 13 assists. Raja Bell scored 12 as properly.

Sadly, the Mavericks would go on to lose in six video games within the Western Convention Finals to the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs would go on to win the NBA Finals.

2005 Western Convention Quarterfinals

The Mavericks confronted off in opposition to the Houston Rockets within the first spherical of the 2005 playoffs. Dallas entered the playoffs because the No. 4-seed amid a odd season the place head coach Don Nelson re-signed in March. Assistant coach Avery Johnson took over, and all appeared properly till the Mavericks misplaced the primary two video games of the collection in opposition to the Rockets.

They rebounded, although, and received three of the subsequent 4 video games to power a Sport 7. This time, although, it wasn’t Nowitzki who saved them. Jason Terry scored 31 factors and Josh Howard hassled Rockets’ Tracy McGrady into 10-of-26 taking pictures from the ground. Nowitzki scored 14 factors, nevertheless it didn’t matter. The Mavericks received the sport in a route, 116-76, and received the collection. They’d go on to lose within the subsequent spherical to the Phoenix Suns.

2006 Western Convention Semifinals

In what might be the defining collection in opposition to their in-state rivals the Spurs, the Mavericks blew a 3-1 lead within the collection and a 20 level lead in Sport 7, however nonetheless one way or the other received. Dallas had misplaced its earlier two collection in opposition to San Antonio.

However 2006 could be completely different. You understand all of the moments. The Nowitzki drive to the basket. The Manu Ginobli foul on that drive. Nowitzki making a key block on the opposite finish. An additional time wracked with rigidity. The Mavericks would go on to win 119-111, sending them to the Western Convention Finals. There, they’d defeat one other rival, the Suns, and go on to the NBA Finals. No want to enter what occurred subsequent.

2014 Western Convention Quarterfinals

Eight years later, the Mavericks discovered themselves in one other Sport 7 in opposition to the Spurs. The circumstances have been a bit completely different this time, although. The Spurs have been the No. 1-seed bent on profitable a title after a crushing defeat within the NBA Finals in opposition to the Miami Warmth in 2013. The Mavericks have been a plucky No. 8-seed simply glad to be there.

What adopted was a backwards and forwards collection that appeared like a matchup between two of one of the best groups within the NBA. It featured an iconic shot and stellar performances by a few of the best gamers in each groups’ histories. However Sport 7 didn’t go the Mavericks’ approach in any respect, and the Spurs cruised to a victory 119-96. They’d go on to win the NBA Finals in 5 video games.

2021 Western Convention Quarterfinals

Seven years would go earlier than the Mavericks’ subsequent Sport 7. It will come of their second consecutive matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Mavericks truly held a 3-2 lead within the collection with Sport 6 in Dallas. However the Clippers stole Sport 6 behind a forty five level efficiency by Kawhi Leonard, and compelled Sport 7 in Los Angeles.

In Sport 7, it was Luka Doncic who placed on a stellar efficiency, scoring 46 factors and allotting 14 assists. It wasn’t sufficient, although, to defeat the Clippers’ balanced assault. Leonard scored 28 factors, and Paul George scored 22. Marcus Morris chipped in 23 factors. No different Maverick outdoors of Doncic scored greater than 18 factors. The Clippers received the sport 126-111.