After several close losses the team looks to right the ship in Utah.
The Dallas Mavericks (5-6) will try to pick up the pieces Thursday night when they pay a visit to the Utah Jazz (2-8) at 8 PM CT on NBA TV nationally, and locally through Channel 29 or MavsTV. The team stumbles their way to the Western Conference’s last place team after dropping three heartbreakers in a row, most recently in Klay Thompson’s homecoming with the Golden State Warriors. The Mavericks have lost these three by a combined five points.
Perhaps some stabilizing force comes out of their game against the Jazz, a team they beat in the third game of the season 110-102 at home. Luka Doncic & Co. could certainly use it. This recent dip in tightly contested games takes an emotional toll, and for a team that’s battled early season injury and a mighty slip in the standings, any turning point is cherished. Here’s what we’ll look for Thursday.
Rediscovering the perimeter
What was once a strength is currently missing from the Dallas Mavericks. During last year’s regular season, eight of the nine players (including Grant Williams) who attempted 100 or more threes shot 34-percent or better. In the playoffs, remove Williams and in his place add Maxi Kleber, the top nine players in attempts shot 35-percent or better.
Currently, only three of the top eight Mavericks in three point attempts are shooting over 34-percent (Thompson, Kyrie Irving, and Quentin Grimes). The other five are shooting 32-percent or worse. The key supporting cast of PJ Washington, Naji Marshall, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Jaden Hardy are a combined 26-of-107 from deep. Folks, that won’t cut it.
This is all small sample sizing. Eventually rhythm will be rediscovered. We’ve seen flashes of it for the Mavericks already this season. But a lot of the playmaking from Doncic and Irving requires open threes to be hit on the other end of those passes, and it just isn’t there yet. New pieces and injuries have played factors, so put a pin in this to revisit later. But the group freeze from deep has not been fun. Oddly enough, the Mavericks beat the Jazz earlier this season with their worst shooting performance from three — hitting just 29-percent.
Deadly slow starts
The Mavericks currently rank 24th in first quarter Offensive-rating. Their 104.6 rating in 132 minutes puts them with the likes of the San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, and Portland Trail Blazers. Not exactly the look of a team contending for titles. The good news is it doesn’t carry throughout the remaining quarters — the team ranks 10th (second quarter), ninth (third quarter) and seventh (fourth quarter) in offense for the rest of the game. But the work to get there is a slog.
Much has been made, especially in the last three games, of poor clutch time execution. It is certainly warranted. The Mavericks are 1-5 in clutch games and have a -31 Net-rating in those 22 minutes. But it’s possible the slow starts are an impact to that number. The team too often is crawling from out of an early hole, and head coach Jason Kidd is still in searching mode, trying to throw different rotation looks out there to see what sticks. It’s left them somewhat depleted late to be attacking on the front foot. Clutch numbers, especially so early in a season, are difficult to predict or rely on. If the Mavericks have one or two calls (or shots) go their way in one of these three games then they’re 3-3 in the clutch and there would be less hand-wringing. But the team can control their energy and preparation in first quarter. It would be nice to see that kind of response Thursday against the Jazz, a team with similar early game struggles.
Protect the boards
The return of Derrick Lively II against the Golden State Warriors was much needed. He clearly will need time to get back into the swing of things, but his presence in the paint is more than valuable. But even with his return the Mavericks need to sort out a growing problem — giving up offensive boards.
The team is giving up on average nearly 13 offensive rebounds per game, placing them 28th in the league. In Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors they gave up EIGHTEEN offensive rebounds. Perennial Mavericks menace Kevon Looney was credited with NINE offensive rebounds in his 15 minutes of play off the bench. The Mavericks gave up 13 offensive boards in their loss to the Nuggets, and 11 offensive boards in their loss to the Phoenix Suns — including the controversial deciding play.
With the effective tandem of Lively and Daniel Gafford at center for the Mavericks this is unacceptable. But it’s a team effort. Everyone on the floor has to box out, everyone on the floor has to seal off and bring energy to end defensive possessions. And it just isn’t happening consistently. The Mavericks are managing to surrender only 13.2 second chance points per game, 11th in the league. But the volume of offensive boards is playing with fire. And with these last several games being decided by so few points, it’s easy to look here and see what needs to be fixed.
How to watch
Tip-off is set for 8 PM CT and can be watched nationally on NBA TV, or locally through Channel 29 or a MavsTV subscription.