Dallas Mavericks: Maybe it’s time for a new style of offensive attack

Game one has come and gone and just like the last two playoff series, the Dallas Mavericks failed to capitalize on the opening match. The team fell to the Golden State Warriors by 25 points and struggled to get anything going offensively. What a difference a series can make, as the last time Dallas was on the court fans saw them score 123 points in a game seven victory against the Phoenix Suns.

Some of the Mavs’ offensive struggles included having 16 turnovers, hitting 66.7 percent of their free throws and knocking down 22.9 percent of shots from beyond the arc.

Whenever a team attempts 48 three pointers, more than likely they would need to make at least half of their shots or somewhere close to it to be somewhat competitive.

While Golden State had a higher shooting percent, they attempted less field goals.

The Golden State Warriors attempted 19 less three pointers and converted 34 percent of their shots. Overall they made 56 of their shots in contrast to Dallas who struggled to make more than 36 percent of their chances.

So the question lingers:

Is it time for the Dallas Mavericks to find a new style of offense?

It might be. You see NBA fans have narratives like the Maverick’s performance before. Back in the 2018 playoffs the Houston Rockets blew a 15 point lead to the Warriors after hit seven of their 44 attempted threes. The worse part is that they missed 27 straight attempts from the arc.

While Dallas’s performance was no one where near that, it was somewhat close as they too fell a part in the third quarter.

The thing about being a team that lives from the three point, is that they must be consistent game in and game out. I mean the Mavs saw this first hand when the Suns failed to get any sort of rhyme going.

So how can this be fixed?

It is really hard to fix a team who usually makes a majority of their open three point attempts. However, there are other options the Mavs can center on.

First off, Dallas must find a way to get the pick and roll game going. Both Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson are excellent mid-range shooters and can thrive well when give shots around the free throw line. If the team can find a way to give them open opportunities then this will definitely help increase their field goal percentage.

Another thing the team must try to do is attack the rim. In game one of the series, Dallas won the foul battle. Golden State tallied up 22 fouls and this is something they must take advantage of. Overall the Mavericks had just 32 points in the paint. If they can increase their chances down low, then this will allow them to have more chances at the line.

Lastly, the Mavericks must get someone besides Doncic, Brunson or Spencer Dinwiddie going. Remember Maxi Kleber put on a clinic against the Suns as he was one of the X factors down the stretch. Dorian Finney-Smith also played a big role as knocked down clutch shots from the arc.

While I am not saying to get rid of their three point game all together, I am suggesting the team find alternatives. The Dallas Mavericks are a very balanced team and must continue to show that before they turn into the form Houston Rockets of the world.