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Dallas Mavericks: An important upcoming 5 game stretch

By Adithya Prabakaran

DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 26: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Center on November 26, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 26: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Center on November 26, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JANUARY 22: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers looks to the bench during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on January 22, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pacers defeated the Suns 112-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JANUARY 22: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers looks to the bench during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on January 22, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pacers defeated the Suns 112-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Indiana Pacers (31-17)

Another team the Mavericks have yet to face this season, the Pacers are the best team Dallas will play in the five game stretch.

Indiana, currently fifth in the Eastern Conference just got back former All-Star Victor Oladipo from a leg injury that sidelined him for nearly a year. The team is currently being led by point guard Malcolm Brogdon, first time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, and small forward TJ Warren.

The trio of Brogdon, Sabonis, and Warren are averaging a combined 53 points per game, 20 rebounds per game, and 15 assists per game. However, the biggest issue is the trio is shooting extremely efficiently; in fact, that could be said of the entire team.

Indiana has the third highest three point percentage and the fifth highest field goal percentage in the league. They are doing this attempting a league average in field goal attempts and the fewest amount of three point attempts in the league.

Yet as one of the most efficient teams from all over the court, the Pacers play with an old school approach. As one of the slowest teams in the league (25th fastest pace) all but four players attempt more two-point shots than three-point shots. (The Mavs conversely have 7 players)

Their offensive efficiency could be a problem for the Mavericks for a few reasons.

  • Domantas Sabonis is an elite post scorer and playmaker, and Myles Turner can stretch the floor

Kristaps Porzingis is an elite rim protector so surely he can negate some of the impact Sabonis has as a post scorer? Not quite. With the team currently facing a big man shortage, Dallas might not have enough depth to guard the duo of Turner and Sabonis. Turner may only be averaging 12 points per game, but his three point shooting ability and athleticism make him difficult to guard for most big men.

Someone of Porzingis’s stature and athleticism is the perfect way to mitigate anything Turner does, but that leaves Sabonis feasting on the inside. Even if Porzingis were to line up on on Sabonis, he will eventually get switched onto Turner leaving players like forward Maxi Kleber, center Boban Marjanovic, and center Willie Cauley-Stein to guard him. At that point, the interior defense is just not the same without Porzingis in the middle.

  • TJ Warren has become a legitimate third option for the team

Andre Igoudala is constantly linked to Dallas because he would provide the defense solid defensive IQ at the wing positions. Even if the trade isn’t likely to happen, there is a reason the speculation exists.

The wing defense for the Mavericks has been lackluster for a good part of this season. Dorian Finney-Smith is a good defender but is at his best when defending power forwards. After that, the depth consists of Justin Jackson, a capable but not a lockdown defender, and Courtney Lee…

This coupled with the fact that Dallas has a lot of guards means Warren is prone to being a mismatch for the Mavericks for a good part of the game.

  • Dallas back court isn’t great defensively

This might not mean much, but the Dallas back court has surrendered 35 points to James Harden, 32 points to Russell Westbrook, 32 points to Devin Booker, 47 points to Damian Lillard, 27 points to De’Aaron Fox, 25 points to Buddy Hield, and 25 points to Donovan Mitchell all in the last week and a half.

They haven’t been playing well defensively against some of the best guards in the Western Conference.

Malcolm Brogdon, while not an All-Star, is not far removed from a season where he went 50/40/90. Guard Aaron Holiday is shooting 43 percent from the three-point line. Jeremy Lamb just scored 28 points in a loss to Portland. Oh yeah, Victor Oladipo is back.

This team has natural scoring ability at both their guard positions, which could signal some big games against a Mavericks team that hasn’t played particularly well defensively.

The scoring efficiency that Indiana plays with will be an issue in all parts of the court for a Mavericks team that is currently struggling on the defensive side of the ball.

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