The Dallas Mavericks finally play a meaningful basketball game tonight against the Atlanta Hawks.

From the end of last season's playoff loss to the Los Angeles Clippers to now, things have changed in Dallas. The organization brought in Jason Kidd to coach. Before that, they hired a new general manager in Nico Harrison. And the results were a free agency period that saw Dallas add supplemental pieces to compliment Luka Dončić and Kristaps Porzingis.

Now, it is time to see if all those changes paid off. With tip-off against Atlanta scheduled for 6:30 p.m. central standard time, here are five predictions for the 82 games ahead.

Dallas finishes top four in the west.

Year four is special for players who go on to be first-ballot Hall of Famers. For example, LeBron James drug the bag of bones Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in his fourth season. Kobe Bryant won his first championship in his fourth season. Now, it's time for Dončić to take that next step.

He's compiled the impressive stat lines, but the winning hasn't followed as expected. Under Kidd, this version of the Mavericks will learn to be a better regular-season team. And though the Western Conference is crowded, the Mavericks will finish as a top-four ball club. And that will happen because of Dončić and the advantages of roster continuity.

Kristaps Porzingis produces his best statistical season since New York.

The word on Porzingis all preseason was that he is in the best shape of his career. That is the benefit of a healthy training camp and offseason. This year Porzingis will reap the rewards of simply being healthy.

Another benefit for Porzingis is Kidd's intentionality in allowing him to make plays with the ball in his hands. No longer is the former all-star a floor spacer. Kidd plans to use him in post-up situations, in the mid-range and half-court offensive sets. The increase in touches and offensive freedom will lead to Porzingis' best season in a Dallas uniform.

Dončić misses out on NBA MVP, again.

He comes in as the favorite to win the NBA's highest individual award, but the narrative won't suit him as a high-index vote-getter.

Dončić lacks the voting pull of other NBA MVP candidates. And as we all know, the MVP award is as much narrative, as it is individual statical output. Before LeBron's injury last season, he was a leading candidate in the MVP race. He was also enjoying a statistical down season. The media wanted to award him a legacy award. And if he wasn't injured, they most likely would have.

Those same storylines persist this season. Though Dallas may win more than they have in the past, the narrative for Dončić to win league MVP isn't as strong as his counterparts.

Reggie Bullock becomes a Kidd favorite. 

There is something to professionalism and reliability in the NBA. Reggie Bullock possesses both of those traits. And as a stingy wing defender, who can also knock down open 3-pointers, Bullock stands a chance to become a rotational favorite for Kidd throughout the season.

His fit alongside Dončić just makes sense. He works hard on the defensive end. And on a good night, he gives the Mavericks' star point guard an outlet from behind the arc. By season's end, expect to see a litany of Bullock minutes at the wing spot on the floor.

Dallas struggles at the center position.

The one position that remains a question mark is the center rotation. Yes, Kidd named Dwight Powell the starter at the beginning of training camp. However, Powell being the long-term solution is not feasible.

Willie Cauley-Stein is nothing more than a platoon big. And Moses Brown is still incredibly raw offensively. Dallas' options at the five are slim. Powell starting at center appears to be the default answer, but it isn't the right answer in the long term. By the trade deadline, Dallas will be looking to upgrade at center again.

Related Dallas Mavericks reading: 

"Defense comes first in the Mavericks season opener against the Atlanta Hawks." 

"The key to Dallas' on-court success can be found off of it." 

Feature image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports.