Grading the Mavericks: Defense Won’t Win Championships Without Scoring
The Mavericks have largely avoided focusing on offense in a league where scoring dominates. This past week, they posted a 1-2 record and remain 14th in the Western Conference.
Recent Performance
- They narrowly defeated a weakened Indiana team 107-105.
- They lost to Detroit 122-110 and Houston 110-102.
D’Angelo Russell led scoring for the week, averaging 18.3 points per game.
Injuries and Player Status
- Daniel Gafford returned from an ankle injury to make his season debut in Mexico City against the Pistons.
- Dante Exum and Kyrie Irving have yet to debut this season due to knee injuries.
- Dereck Lively remains out after a knee injury sustained after or during the third game.
- Anthony Davis injured his calf against the Pacers and has not yet returned.
Impact of Injuries and Lineup Inconsistency
Injuries have continued to plague the Mavericks for the second straight season. Although Dallas is not the worst-hit team, these setbacks have significantly hindered their rhythm and consistency on offense. Frequent changes to the lineup have prevented sustained offensive flow for more than a quarter at a time.
The decision to keep Cooper Flagg at point guard has also been a factor in their offensive struggles.
Defensive Efforts
Despite the challenges, the Mavericks have shown resilience by competing effectively in their last two games without Anthony Davis.
“Dallas clearly has not been able to establish any sort of rhythm or consistency on offense for more than a quarter at a time, and having guys in and out of the lineup is a factor in that.”
Summary: The Mavericks’ ongoing injury problems and frequent lineup changes have disrupted their offensive rhythm, revealing that strong defense alone won’t secure championships without consistent scoring.