Not only are the shots not falling, but they aren’t the best shots Dallas can get.
The Mavericks finish the last week 0-3 and fall 5-6 on the year, leaving them outside of the play-in in 11th place. Each loss came excruciatingly, with each subsequent defeat more frustrating than the last. The first came at home against Phoenix (114-113) and the next two came on the road against Denver (122-120) and Golden State (120-117). Maxi Kleber and Dereck Lively returned to the active roster but P.J. Washington (knee) and Dante Exum (wrist surgery) remain out.
Grade: C
There is no way around it: the last three losses have sucked. Not because they are season killers, but because they all came in similar ways and hurt like hell. The history with Phoenix, Denver, and Golden State only exacerbated the heartbreak. With the Western Conference as good as it is, the importance of a good start is elevated. Dallas has not gotten off to one, and while the water will find its level, they have left the vibes in shambles.
On the court, they continue to start poorly and end games poorly. They have a first-quarter net rating of -28.2 (105.1 offensive, 133.3 defensive) and a clutch time net rating of -21.9 (106.7 offensive, 128.6 defensive) over their last three games. The sample size is small, so short runs can skew this data, but the eye test backs this up. They have looked lethargic and lazy to open and close, and this simply has to change for them to be a serious team.
For starters, Dereck Lively has got to start. They need to mix it up and bring some energy into the first unit and while the starting center does not matter in the long run, a switch here could rejuvenate their first quarters. The other change they have to make is a commitment to movement and running offense down the stretch of close games. Yes, Dallas has two of the most talented isolation players the league has ever seen. But they also have one of the greatest shooters in the history of the sport who can make a shot off a drive and kick as well. The expectations are high this season, and living up to them starts with a concerted effort to fix their clear deficiencies.
Straight A’s: Kyrie Irving
One bright spot for Dallas offensively has been Kyrie Irving. He is averaging 31 points on 67 percent shooting over the past three games, including a season-high 43 points against Denver. His shot-making has been sensational, evidenced by just over 65 percent of his shots during this period coming with a defender four feet or closer. He has been efficient, consistent, and fun to watch, which cannot be said for any other player on the team.
Currently Failing: Clutch time execution
The last three games have felt like you were watching the same bad movie your dad always has on at the worst time. The last three minutes in each game felt like the same script: a close game within reach that came down to multiple bad isolation possessions on offense in the closing minutes. On one hand, it is correct to be frustrated about these losses. The Mavericks were excellent in clutch games last season, so seeing them crumble when they need a basket so far this year is irritating. They seemingly stop running offense when the clock hits 4:59, and the lasting images have been the long Luka Doncic threes that have given the term “poor shot selection” a new poster child. There is certainly work to be done to help them get better shots down the stretch, not the least of which is Doncic growing up a little and not forcing these bad shots.
However, despite how bad it has looked, the Mavericks’ struggles have come down to shot-making. Dallas is now 5-for-18 from three in clutch time this season, while their opponents are 7-for-13. In the simplest terms, Dallas just needs to make more shots. Look no further than the Warriors game on Tuesday; the shots Steph Curry made were not any easier than the ones Luka Doncic missed. This will even out because the Mavericks have players capable of making these shots. They just need to help themselves a little by running some form of offense to get guys in better positions to shoot shots they are comfortable with.
Extra Credit: Klay’s poise in The Bay
Klay Thompson had been in a bad way shooting the ball before Tuesday night against the Warriors. In the first five games of November, Thompson was just 10-of-33 (30 percent) from three. Being in a slump, forcing shots and doing too much on such an emotional night would have been easy. However, Thompson was locked in from the jump, even saying it was “just another regular season game in November” to him. He shot 6-of-12 from three and scored 22 points in his return to San Francisco, doing all he could to help lift the Mavericks to victory. His efforts may not have been fruitful but they were valiant nonetheless.