Matthew Emmons-US Presswire

With 20 games left to go in the NBA season, the time is now for the Dallas Mavericks. Currently sitting three games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the last playoff spot, the Mavericks have to start moving up the standings.

Dallas has been playing better as of late. They have won three in a row and four of their last five. The problem for Dallas has been consistency all year long. Prior to this run, the Mavericks had lost three in a row.

Currently the Mavericks find themselves in the midst of a four game road trip. They were able to knock off the Detroit Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first two games, however the last two games are much tougher. Tuesday night, Dallas will face the Milwaukee Bucks and Thursday the San Antonio Spurs. If the Mavericks truly believe they can make the playoffs this season, these next two games are crucial.

The offense has started clicking as well, as the Mavericks have scored at least 100 points in the last four games they have played. OJ Mayo is asserting himself as a viable scoring option next to Dirk Nowitzki, who is finally starting to show signs of his former self–having missed the first part of the season because of a knee injury.

In order for the Mavericks to make the playoffs, they’re going to need Nowitzki to put the team on his shoulders like he did in 2011. For his sake and the Mavericks, I hope his knee is completely healed and up to the task.

Greg Higgins is a Dallas Mavericks writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.