Chandler Parsons enjoying best six-game stretch as Dallas Maverick

Chandler Parsons has been on one red-hot tear lately.

Over the past six games the Dallas Mavericks’ small forward has averaged 24.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 37.2 minutes, and also shot 57.8 percent from the field and an even more sizzling 56.8 percent from 3-point territory. It’s Parsons’ best six-game stretch with Dallas since he joined the team in the summer of 2014 as a restricted free agent from the Houston Rockets.

“Well, he’s shooting the ball better for us,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “His playmaking is getting better and better. His play at [power forward] has opened up more playmaking opportunities for him because he’s got a quickness advantage against a lot of the guys that we play against. It’s leading to some really good offensive numbers.”

Earlier this month Carlisle declared it wouldn’t be until after the Feb. 14 All-Star Game before Parsons is fully recovered from off-season hybrid microfracture surgery on his left knee to the point where he could put up some consistent offensive numbers. When asked Friday about that statement, Carlisle said: “Oh, talk to me after the All-Star game to see maybe if we can extend it a little more.”

In addition to his small forward duties, Parsons also often slides over and becomes the backup to power forward Dirk Nowitzki when the 18-year veteran goes to the bench. That has enabled him to rebound better, because he’s closer to the basket.

That move paid off handsomely Friday when Parsons collected 19 points and a season-high 10 rebounds in the Mavs’ 91-79 triumph over the Brooklyn Nets. It marked Parsons’ first double-double of the season.

In a nutshell, the days of the Mavs receiving a puny non-productive stat line from Parsons appear to be over. His last six games can attest to that, as the knee issues affecting his game appear to be a distant memory.

“My knee is what it is, and it’s going to keep getting better,” Parsons said. “Just because I had a good game doesn’t mean my knee is magically 100 percent.

“It’s not going to be all season long, but as long as I can manage it and continue to get stronger and better and keep playing confident, I can play at a high level.”

While Parsons obviously has surfaced lately as the player the Mavs envisioned when they signed him to a massive three-year, $46 million contract, Carlisle isn’t prepared to give him the keys to the car just yet. The more players who can hit clutch baskets, according to Carlisle, the merrier the situation is for the Mavs, who host Phoenix at 6 p.m. Sunday at American Airlines Center.

“I don’t think this is a thing where we say when Parsons gets to 100 percent that he’s going to be our go-to guy,” Carlisle said. “I think we have a group of go-to guys, and having that balance is very important to us.

“That’s how I kind of view it from a global perspective. We have to have multiple weapons out there when it counts. I don’t think its fair dumping it on just him or on (Deron Williams) or on Dirk or on (J. J.) Barea or even (Wesley) Matthews.”

Parsons credits his extra work with Nowitzki as the reason his game has flourished. A resident gym rat, Nowitzki has taken Parsons under his wing and shown him how to master the offensive game.

“On off days we come in, and I wouldn’t want to work with anybody else in the league – ever,” Parsons said. “It’s a resource I’ve had here for over a year now and I’m just starting to take advantage of it, and he’s been great.

“Just little pointers -- nothing too drastic. And a lot of (trash) talking.”

Whatever the case, the pointers from Nowitzki have helped Parsons exponentially.

“He’s picking up his game and this is the right time to do it for us,” Carlisle said. “We need his production, we need his playmaking.

“He’s getting there. He’s getting there.”

This story was originally published January 30, 2016 at 5:20 PM with the headline "Chandler Parsons enjoying best six-game stretch as Dallas Maverick."