Mavs are a kinda remixed version of the '18 and '19 Rockets... but they'll face the same problems HOU faced in that there's essentially a super team (BOS) and possibly a second in the making (OKC) that will block them.
Last year, DAL was mostly viewed as an under dog in the first round vs the Clippers, so Leonard's injury was the big swing of events that went DAL's way. The 2nd was DEN being on the other side of the bracket and choking to MIN.
So i get part of what Chuck said that things fell into place... tho i'd counter by saying that 1. that damn near happens with every team and 2. neither DEN or LAC are what they were last year, and most of the conference is in a flux. DAL could easily end up the 2nd seed or top 4.