How Mavericks have morphed from decent to dominant

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving.

For most of the regular season, the Dallas Mavericks played just decently. As the schedule winds down, however, the Luka Doncic- and Kyrie Irving-powered Mavericks are rounding into form so quickly that it has led many of us to reconsider what the team is capable of in the playoffs.

So, how have the Mavericks (50-30) done it?

1. Kyrie Irving is on a tear 

It helps when your second-best player is good enough to carry the team by himself on occasion.

A 48-point explosion on April 9, an obscene buzzer-beater against Denver on March 17 and countless other “superstar” moments from Irving have jump-started a Dallas team that looked a little undermanned while he missed most of December.

Since the All-Star break, Irving is averaging 25.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists and looking more like the player he was in Cleveland than in his stops since then.

2. Some new frontcourt friends

Dallas gave up a lot to acquire Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington at the trade deadline, but you must  give a lot to get a lot. Both new Mavericks are providing a lot for a team that desperately needed frontcourt depth.

As a Maverick, Gafford is shooting a silly 78% from the field and blocking two shots per game — he has always been an underrated rim protector. Although Washington has struggled from the field, his defensive versatility (1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks per game for Dallas) has paid dividends.

Their individual numbers look good, and the team numbers look even better.

Before the All-Star break, Dallas was the fifth-worst defensive rebounding team in the NBA, according to DREB%. Post All-Star break, it is ninth best.

Dallas’ ability to secure rebounds and limit second-chance opportunities has opened up so much for a team that plays so well in transition.

3. Luka Doncic is still unstoppable

It might be banal to say this, but Doncic is still unguardable and his continued dominance of defenses has obviously played a huge part in the Mavs’ scorching streak.

Doncic averaged a 30-point triple double in March while still shooting over 38% from three-point range. His dominance is assumed at this point, but it still shouldn’t be taken for granted.

4. Hot at the right time

Wednesday’s 111-92 win over Miami was Dallas’ 16th in its past 18 games. While the last month-plus of the season must be taken with a grain of salt as good teams rest stars and bad teams embrace tanking, the Mavericks have a good enough roster that a stretch like this is more believable than it would be for less talented teams.

The Mavericks have climbed to fifth in the West, where another playoff showdown with the Clippers awaits. (Los Angeles eliminated the Mavericks in the postseason in 2019-20 and 2020-21.) Earlier in the season, the Clippers had a stretch similar to Dallas’ current run but have cooled since.

Can the Mavericks’ momentum carry them past the Clips this time?

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