How can Dallas Mavericks qualify for Emirates NBA Cup knockouts? All permutations and combinations explored

Tonight, the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies will face off in the final game of the group stage of the Emirates NBA Cup. Currently, the team is sitting in second place in West Group C behind the Golden State Warriors, who have gone undefeated in this year's in-season tournament.

Given that only the top teams in each group are guaranteed spots in the knockout round, if Dallas wants to clinch a spot in the next round via the Western Conference's wildcard spot, it'll need a little bit of luck.

The current West Group C standings for the Emirates NBA Cup are as follows:

• #1: Golden State (3-0 record, +12 point differential)
• #2: Dallas Mavericks (2-1 record, +41 point differential)
• #3: Denver Nuggets (1-2 record, +2 point differential)
• #4: Memphis Grizzlies (1-2 record, -6 point differential)
• #5: New Orleans Pelicans (1-3 record, -49 point differential)

There are three different scenarios where the Dallas Mavericks could clinch a wildcard spot in the Emirates NBA Cup knockout stage:

• Dallas defeats Memphis, and Oklahoma City & Portland lose.
• Dallas defeats Memphis by enough points that its point differential buys it a spot in the knockout round.
• If Dallas loses to Memphis, Oklahoma City, Portland, and Denver must all lose, and Dallas must lose by ~24 points, or lose in overtime.

"We have the right approach" - Dallas Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford feeling confident in team's approach ahead of final group stage game of Emirates NBA Cup

While the stakes are at an all-time high for Dallas heading into tonight's Emirates NBA Cup game, the team believes it is approaching things with the right mindset.

Although a win could advance the team to the knockout round and keep it in contention for the $500,000 prize, it is focused on having fun and giving its akk.

Starting big man Daniel Gafford shed some light on the team's mentality heading into the final game of the group stage, via The Dallas Morning News:

“We have the right approach to it. We come out and we have fun playing the game, and we just go out and give it 110%. We work for the outcome that we want. If we don’t get that outcome, we get back to the drawing board and figure it out afterwards.”

The Dallas Mavericks have a clean bill of health for both Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. While Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively are questionable, the fact that Doncic and Irving are set to play should give fans hope of a NBA Cup playoff spot.