Mavs' travel could get strange

DALLAS -- If the Dallas Mavericks thought playing nine games in 12 days was wacky, things could get worse in the next couple of days.

The Mavs are certain to open the playoffs against either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Oklahoma City Thunder. But first, the Mavs play the Hawks in Atlanta on Thursday night.

And if the Mavs wound up playing the Lakers in the playoffs -- and if that series starts Saturday in LA -- Dallas will fly straight from Atlanta to Los Angeles after Thursday's game against the Hawks.

However, if the Mavs-Lakers' series starts Sunday, the Mavs will fly home Thursday after the game against Atlanta, then take a flight to Los Angeles on Saturday.

On the other hand, if the Mavs open the first round of the playoffs against the Thunder, they will fly home after the game against Atlanta and then head to Oklahoma City either Friday or Saturday.

-- Dwain Price

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