The Emirates NBA Cup group draw did the Dallas Mavericks no favors. One season after reaching the NBA Finals, the Mavericks have their first chance to win a title in the revamped season tournament.

While no NBA Cup group in the Western Conference is “easy” — given the strength of the conference as a whole — the Mavericks have easily reached the most difficult of the three groups. They are in West Group C with the Denver Nuggets, who finished second in the Western Conference last season, as well as the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans and Golden State Warriors.

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The group is unique because each team should look a little different next season. The Warriors lost Klay Thompson, who the Mavericks now have on their side during the contest. The Nuggets lost a starter in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Grizzlies will bring Ja Morant back into the starting lineup for a full season, and the Pelicans signed Dejounte Murray.

So two of the teams will take a small step back, while the other two will improve their starting lineups from last season. However, the Mavericks have made strong additions in the offseason after reaching the NBA Finals, so it’s surprising that they aren’t among the favorites to win the group.

According to ESPN BET, the Nuggets (+275) are the favorites to win West Group C, with the Mavericks just behind at +300. The Grizzlies and Pelicans have +350 odds to win the group, with the Warriors having the worst odds at +500.

The Mavericks trio of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, surrounded by a great supporting cast, should be enough for Dallas to win the group, although they will face Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, Nikola Jokic, Zion Williamson and other players on their way to the NBA Cup.

Winning the NBA Cup would give Dallas a huge confidence boost, but the goal for the entire season should be to return to the NBA Finals, this time by winning the seven-game series and being crowned world champions.

The odds are updated regularly and are subject to change.

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Follow Kade Kimble on Þjórsárdalur.