This series breaks down the Dallas Mavericks performance this season in eight chapters, with analysis at the end of each section. The chapters are 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, 4-3 at home, 1-2 on the road
- Chapter Two (Games 11-20) 7-3 record, 3-0 at home, 4-3 on the road
- Chapter Three (Games 21-30): 7-3 record, 3-2 at home, 4-1 on the road
- Chapter Four (Games 31-40): TBD
- Chapter Five (Games 41-50): TBD
- Chapter Six (Games 51-60): TBD
- Chapter Seven (Games 61-70): TBD
- Chapter Eight (Games 71-82): TBD
- Pace: 51 wins
The Mavericks continued their dominance in their third stretch of games by finishing with 7-3 record. Mavs are now 19-11 overall and while that is a great achievement (seventh best in the NBA), the future of Luka Dončić is unknown as he suffered a left calf strain on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is going to have an MRI Thursday to see the severity of the injury and how much extended time he will be out.
The teammates of Dončić will have to rise to the occasion once again in his absence as the Mavs are 6-2 when their superstar has been inactive this season. The three key areas Mavs found success in the third chapter of games are the team’s improved play on the road for a long period of time , Klay Thompson and thriving and OMax Prosper showing growth in his opportunities.
Improved Performance on the Road
Mavs went 4-1 in the third chapter of games, that is an improvement as they were 5-5 before that stretch. Although the wins weren’t against top-tier teams (Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors), they are wins. Despite quality of opponents, team had one home game in 15 days, from November 30th to December 15th. The wins on the road show the nucleus of the roster forming into one and an improvement on performance while away from home. This stretch brought the Mavs overall road record to 9-6, which is tied for the second best road record in the Western Conference.
Klay Thompson Thriving in Dallas
Klay Thompson played in nine of the 10 game stretch, he averaged 16.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals. Thompson’s shooting splits stand out, as he shot 50% from the floor and 43.7% beyond the arc. Thompson has been notorious for slow starts at the beginning of seasons, but he has shown a glimpse of how dangerous he can be for the team. Thompson has played in 26 games this season, he shoots 40.6% from three-point range in wins (15) and 37.6% in losses (11). His shooting is vital to Mavs success.
With his third 3-pointer on Christmas against the Minnesota Timberwolves (2,561st career), Thompson passed Reggie Miller (2,560) for the fifth-most 3-pointers in NBA history. He ended the night with 2,562 makes from deep. Thompson is keeping the game ball and sending his jersey from tonight to Reggie Miller, after passing him for 5th all time on the threes made list.
“Honestly a dream come true. I’m going to celebrate tonight because just think all the hours you spent shooting and all the shots you gotten up in your lifetime and pass such an icon like Reggie is super surreal for me.” Thompson shared “He meant that much to me growing up.”
Thompson’s defense has been very solid as well this season but specifically this stretch of games. Thompson recorded his first game since the 2022-23 season with at least two steals and two blocks in a game. On Christmas , he recorded his 15th career game with such instances and his first as a Maverick. With two steals against the Timberwolves on Christmas, Thompson recorded his career-best fifth straight game with multiple steals. He had only recorded a four-game streak with multiple steals twice in his career prior to his current streak (2/12/14 – 2/23/24; 12/19/13 – 12/25/13).
OMax Prosper Showing Growth
Olivier-Maxence Prosper played in eight of the 10 games during this stretch, he averaged 3.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists. I look at the games he played over 10 minutes (six games) in that stretch, he averaged 4.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He shot 41.2% from the floor and 44.4% behind the arc. Beyond stats, the eye test passed as there were improvements easily visible in his game.
He wasn’t hesitant in decision making, he was aggressive in his dribble drives or timely shot attempts. When Prosper was met by a defender, he made the right reads to his teammates. Plays like that show Kidd he isn’t afraid of the moment and he took advantage of his opportunity on the court. With the uncertainty surrounding Dončić and his calf injury, Proposer may be needed.
Team Stats
Through the first 30 games, here are the Mavs rankings below.
- Net Rating: 7th
- Offensive Rating: 4th
- Defensive Rating: 11th
- Points: 5th
- Rebounds: 6th
- Assists: 17th
- Steals: 14th
- Blocks: 8th
- Second Chance Points: 7th
- Points in the Paint: 6th
- Fast Break Points: 10th
Mavs have a four game road trip in the next seven days against the Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets. This trip that will define how they play without their superstar. It is a prime opportunity to catch the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets, as they are within 1.5 games ahead. The Mavs will need to stay afloat and continue their performance on the road as they have three teams that are 3.0 games behind them in Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.
Jason Kidd has always said “next man up” when it comes to injuries, so he will lean on players like Spencer Dinwiddie, Quentin Grimes and Naji Marshall to fill the void during the absence of Dončić. In order for the Mavericks to succeed in the next chapter of games, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington and the bigs will have to set the tone by starting games aggressively and lock in defensively.