Five reasons the Dallas Mavericks are off to a hot start to the season
After the Dallas Mavericks had a disappointing end to last season that saw them publicly ridiculed after missing the playoffs, they are off to one of the best starts in their franchise history.
At 6-2, the Mavs are near the top of the NBA’s Western Conference standings.
What has helped the Mavs get off to a hot start and which players have shined?
Luka Doncic
Doncic has been superb to start the season, averaging 31.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists and continuing to be a nightly triple-double threat. The Slovenian star has also been clutch in the fourth quarter scoring the second-most points in the league (10.9).
Dereck Lively II
Lively was drafted with the 12th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and has lived up to his selection in his first season. Lively only averages 24 minutes per game, but has made an impact as a lob threat and a rim protector early on in the season. Lively has also excelled as an offensive rebounder, Lively is averaging nine points and 7.7 rebounds on an astounding 77.8% shooting from the field. Lively has already made a case that his minutes total should increase when he returns from his non-COVID illness.
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Hardaway Jr. has always been known for his scoring prowess but has kicked it up to another level to start this season. No bench player in the NBA has played more minutes (230.2) or scored more points than Hardaway (144) this year. Hardaway has also shot 41% from three to start the season while providing elite offense off the bench for the Mavs.
Kyrie Irving
While Irving has struggled with his shot to start the season, his passing has stood out. Irving averages 7.3 assists per game against only 1.8 turnovers. Only Doncic averages more assists for the Mavs this season. Irving’s willingness to find looks for his teammates has been essential as he and Doncic account for 16.1 of the Mavs’ 24.4 assists per game.
Offensive powerhouses
All these players have helped the Mavs continue as one of the best offensive teams in the NBA. The Mavs average the fourth most points in the league (120.1) and no team in the league shoots a better percentage from three (39.7). The Mavs have also excelled at taking care of the ball and getting quality shots.
Dallas returns to action on Friday when the Mavericks host the Los Angeles Clippers in the first game of the NBA’s new in-season tournament. It’s a group game.
