This is a new writing series this season on the Dallas Mavericks, breaking down Mavs performance this season in eight chapters with a story on the analysis at the end of each section.

Chapters will be broken down in eight ranges of games. It helps break down the 82-game season into chapters. For example, you would like to see Mavs get a minimum of six wins in each chapter, which would ultimately lead to a minimum of 48 wins for the season.

Chapter One: Games 1-10 (5-5 record)
Chapter Two: Games 11-20
Chapter Three: Games 21-30
Chapter Four: Games 31-40
Chapter Five: Games 41-50
Chapter Six: Games 51-60
Chapter Seven: Games 61-70
Chapter Eight: Games 71-82

After the first 10 games of the season, the Mavericks fell short of the six-win goal by winning five games. This can be credited to slow starts, late game execution and injuries to key players.

Slow Starts

Out of the 10 games, Mavericks have outscored their opponent in three games. Mavs average 26.3 points in the first quarter, while their opponents average 28.3 points.

This team, led by Dončić and Irving, cannot afford to have slow starts in a highly competitive Western Conference. With their ability to score and create for others, both stars set the tone while their teammates follow. The captains should be the aggressor opposed to let the game come to them, that will create momentum at the beginning of games to take over games. Both stars set the tone while their teammates follow.

Surrounding the Mavs stars with complementary players like Klay Thompson, who can space the floor and make defenses pay for leaving him open to help defend Irving and Dončić. Adding versatile forwards in PJ Washington and Naji Marshall, who provide defense and big wings who can handle the ball. Big men in the paint like Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford provide lob threats, size, defense, and rebounding.

The Mavs have the talent on the roster to be an offensive juggernaut but haven’t been able to build leads in the opening quarter. It might be time to go back to Dončić with the ball more in his hands at the beginning of games. With players coming back from injury and more time together on the court, you’d assume the Mavs will find a way to find their rhythm.

Mavs head coach Jason Kidd was frustrated with the team’s slow starts after the Suns matchup. Kidd said, “For whatever reason we get off to a slow start, gotta be addressed. We’ve talked about it, gotta be action, gotta be some energy, somebody gotta come w/ some fcking energy… Our bench stinks right now. As deep as we are we gotta get somebody to fcking participate.”

Late Game Execution

The last two games came down to the final seconds of the game, losing to Phoenix Suns by one and losing to Denver Nuggets by two. The coaching staff could have created better opportunities for the Mavs to score in the plays drawn during the final minutes of games and the players could avoid mental mistakes in fouls committed. The officials didn’t make it easier for them either.

Mavericks are 1-4 in clutch situations this season. Mavs were 23-9 last season, which was the third best for all NBA teams. Dallas is the 10th worst in rebounding percentage in clutch moments this season, fourth worst in defensive rebounding percentage. Rebounding in close games have hurt the Mavs, especially with Dereck Lively II out.

Injuries

It doesn’t help your start of the season when key players miss games. The Mavs have had key role players miss games at the beginning of the season

Lively has missed four games this season due to a shoulder strain. The second-year center has been upgraded to questionable for the matchup against the Golden State Warriors. Mavs have a +10.06 net rating when Lively is on the court this season, while the team is only +0.57 when he is off the court or inactive with an injury. It is no surprise Mavs are 1-3 in the last four games that Lively has missed.

Mavs have two starting caliber bigs, it gives them the ability to bring Lively along slowly, like protect him from early foul trouble. Lively plays more and closes games when healthy but Mavs slow starts are constant. His passing, rebounds, versatility & upside would help starters.

Washington missed three games due to a knee strain injury. He remains doubtful to return against the Warriors. Maxi Kleber has missed seven games due to a hamstring injury and one game due to coach’s decision in his return to the roster against the Nuggets. Dante Exum missed all 10 games and is expected to miss the first three months due to wrist surgery.

Team Stats

Through the first 10 games, Mavs rank…

10th in defensive rating (114.2)
10th in offensive rating (110.3)
10th in net rating (3.9)
———
15th in points
11th in FG%
20th in 3PT%
13th in rebounds
15th in assists
21st in blocks
19th in steals

New Additions

Klay Thompson has averaged 13.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 10 games this season. Thompson is making 2.9 threes a game at 35.4% beyond the arc, the four-time All-Star is still looking for a stretch of games to find his rhythm with his new teammates.

Naji Marshall has averaged 7.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 10 games this season. Marshall has given the Mavericks another playmaker on the court who pushes the pace offensively outside of Dončić and Irving. Marshall is a versatile defender who has the ability to defend different positions.

Quentin Grimes has averaged 3.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.4 steals in 9 games this season. Grimes did not play in the last game against Nuggets. In order to play more, Kidd said Grimes, “gotta make a shot, he’s gotta just relax. Understand we’re missing layups, we’re just doing stupid stuff right now and that tends to happen during the season so we’re not gonna panic over that, but he’s not a plus.” When he does take shot attempts, he is shooting 39.3% from the floor and 33.3% from three.

Stock Up: Kyrie Irving

Stats in the first 10 games:

25.6 points (53.9 FG% 55.2 3PT%)
4.8 rebounds
4.8 assists
1.6 steals
Improved defense

Irving is playing at another level to start the season. These last two games were tough losses that came to the end but Irving is doing everything he can to help Mavs get wins.

Stock Down: Jaden Hardy

Stats in the first 10 games:

3.4 points (31.4 FG% 29.2 3PT%)
0.9 rebounds
1.0 assist

Fresh off a contract extension, Hardy won the preseason battle for the first guard off the bench but hasn’t stood out in his minutes played. Spencer Dinwiddie took over his role quickly early in the season.

In order for the Mavericks to succeed in the next chapter of games, they will have to work together to match the expectations put upon them. Tomorrow will determine where the Mavericks stand against the hot 8-2 Warriors, Thompson’s former team.