Don't look now but the Mavericks are peaking at just the right time.
After a lackluster start to the season, the Mavericks have been revitalized since the Kristaps Porzingis trade and find themselves well in the race to secure homecourt advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
Being in this position seemed unthinkable at the turn of the new year when they held a 17-18 record, but as the Mavericks have rediscovered their potent offense, they now find themselves 1.5 games back of the struggling No. 3 seed Warriors, with just seven regular-season games remaining.
“I think four and fifth spot is a lot of difference," Luka Doncic said. "When you’re four you have the home advantage and that’s a big thing. We never had it since I’ve been here. So, I think we’re trying to get the home advantage for sure.
"If the Warriors lose and we win two we’re right there, and that’s even better than fourth place.”
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Averaging 27.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.5 assists on 45.4 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from the 3-point line, Doncic has returned to his MVP-caliber form of late and has no doubt been a big boost to their playoff credentials, but head coach Jason Kidd and the front office deserve plenty of credit for surrounding him with the right pieces.
Without Porzingis in the middle, their spacing has improved significantly, utilizing Dwight Powell in the pick-and-roll with Doncic, along with the shooting of Maxi Kleber and Davis Bertans.
MORE: Where does Doncic's peak rank all time?
Most notably the acquisition of guard Spencer Dinwiddie has transformed their offense, giving the Mavs another reliable ball-handler and shooter, with his strengths perfectly slotting in alongside Doncic and Jalen Brunson.
While Brunson is a strong creator in the halfcourt, Dinwiddie's ability to get out in transition, attack the rim and punish smaller defenders with his 6-foot-6 frame gives them the flexibility to match up well with opposing backcourts, while also steadying their offense, which too often fell off a cliff when Doncic was out of the game.
JB IS HIS NAME, GETTING 🪣 IS HIS GAME. pic.twitter.com/FanmRewhzn
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 28, 2022
Since arriving in Dallas, Dinwiddie has been a game-changer in his 17 appearances, including averaging 21.8 points in seven games as a starter. Not only that, but in the two games Doncic missed recently, Dinwiddie averaged 31.0 points and 6.5 assists, while Brunson put up 25.5 points and 4.5 assists — both wins.
In the 275 minutes that Dinwiddie and Brunson have shared the floor, the Mavs have produced a 116.1 offensive rating, 106.1 defensive rating and 10.0 net rating.
“I think me and Spencer have been comfortable since he got here. It kind of just flows as soon as he was inserted into the lineup," Brunson said.
"It was believing we had someone else able to create the way he creates for himself and others. It’s a credit to him for being a great teammate coming in here and just wanting to win.”
MORE: Brunson plays an old-school game for Mavs
When the trio of Dinwiddie, Brunson and Doncic share the floor, the numbers are largely similar, holding a 115.8 offensive rating, 106.8 defensive rating and 9.0 net rating in 113 minutes across 12 games, per NBA.com Stats.
With the three-guard lineup at their disposal, Dinwiddie has capitalized on defenses zeroing in on Doncic late in games. Since the All-Star break, he ranks eighth in the NBA in fourth-quarter scoring and has hit two game-winners, giving a glimpse of how valuable he will be once the postseason begins.
While the Mavs will go as far as Doncic will take them, this is the best supporting cast he's had in his four seasons in the league.
