The Dallas Mavericks began their second half of the season with a win against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. Now, all the team has to do is continue a winning streak and they should be the title favorites, right?
You see the West is so stacked that any day the team has the potential to jump from fourth to eighth in the conference. Compared to the rest of the league, Dallas has the 7th best odds to host the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Contender or not, if the Mavs hope to make another deep run into the playoffs, they must have a winning second-half season.
Here are three keys to a successful second half:
Use Schedule to Advantage
Before the All-Star break, Luka Doncic and the team went on a three-game losing streak. Some of the losses included losses against top West teams such as the Denver Nuggets and the Sacramento Kings. However, according to NBA.com, that could all change as they have the easiest schedule ever.
The statistics show that 13 of the Dallas Mavericks’ 22 remaining games are against squads below .500.
The biggest issue will be finding a connection between Doncic and Kyrie Irving. If both players can get back on track, then the team should have no problem in taking advantage of their remaining games.
Dallas did its job by defeating the Spurs. Now, onto the next 21 games.
Solve Big Man Plagues Now
Since the departure of Tyson Chandler, Dallas has struggled to resolve its big-man issues. The team averaged 13.7 rebounds for starters, the worst in the league.
Second, they are ranked as the second-worst team when it comes to points in the paint. Oh, and who can forget they are on the block as the bottom five squads per game?
So what’s the point?
Honestly, it’s a variety of things. Remember over the summer, Dallas acquired both JaVale McGee and Christian Wood to alleviate their issues. Yet, that plan appears to have failed. Currently, McGee is lucky if he plays more than eight minutes per game. As for Wood, coach Jason Kidd is hesitant to start the Mavs’ third-best player.
The answer appears to be simple: Get Wood Starter Minute!
We all know that Dwight Powell is not the same, and the team must quickly find a permanent solution.
Use Veteran Assistance
One of the things that made the 2011 Mavs team so successful was its lineup of remarkable veterans. Fast forward to now, and the team has just four players over 30: JaVale McGee (35), Justin Holiday (33), Markieff Morris (33), and Reggie Bullock (31). Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kyrie Irving are both sitting on exactly 30 points.
Of the first four names mentioned above, Bullock is the only player who averages 10 minutes per game. Now you can add Holiday’s name to the list after last night’s game.
While the trading deadline has passed, Dallas has the ability to add more veteran presence via free agency. Just two weeks earlier the team was linked with seven-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge. Something that might be worth keeping an eye on.
But if it falls through, they are on the market for other veteran big men including Carmelo Anthony, Avery Bradley, former Mavs Trey Burke and Kemba Walker, and Serge Ibaka.
Maws basically have two options when it comes to veteran attendance –
Play the players you have now or
Add Notable Free Agents Now!
Whatever route Dallas chooses, the answer is simple — get back on track.
With six weeks left in the regular season, Dallas must turn their attention to winning basketball.
We believe in Doncic!