Can the Dallas Mavericks Force a Game 6 vs. the Warriors?
The Dallas Mavericks live to fight another day following a ten-point victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. Not even a leaky roof could stop Luka Doncic and the rest of the squad from forcing a Game 5. The Mavs outscored the Dubs in the first three quarters. Despite slowing down in the fourth quarter and the Warriors scoring 39 points in the final period of the contest, it wasn’t enough to close the deficit.
Luka Doncic recorded another 30-point playoff game. The team showed up and displayed steady numbers throughout the game. Dorian Finney-Smith was the second-highest scorer of the night, leaving the floor with 23 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Reggie Bullock and Jalen Brunson combined for 33 points, while Maxi Kleber and Spencer Dinwiddie closed their account with double-digit scores.
It’s going to be tough for the Mavericks to reel themselves in and close down a two-game lead to tie the series. Nevertheless, the Game 4 counterpunch showed everyone that Dallas has the tools to overcome a relentless Warriors roster. That said, what does it take for the Mavs to force a Game 6?
3 keys for the Mavs in Game 5 vs. Warriors
Challenge the Dubs’ three-point game
Game 4 saw the Mavs drain 20 shots from deep. It also helped that the Golden State had a tough time shooting from beyond the arc, but that alone is already a 30-point difference between the two sides. Dallas has capable shooters that can keep the Warriors on their toes. The team shoots 35.9% from deep, while the Warriors are not far ahead with 38.5%. What the Mavs need now is more consistency from the lineup.
We witnessed a solid display of teamwork from Jason Kidd’s squad recently. This is what the Mavs have to pull off night in and night out to keep their Finals hopes alive. It’s a tall order to keep a steady pace when playing against one of the best two-way teams in the league, but it’s doable. Keeping the three-point ball game in play is one of the key factors that will help Luka Doncic and the Mavs close in on the Dubs.
Win the rebounding battle
Luka Doncic leads his team in points, blocks, and assists. More than that, he also does the heavy lifting when it comes to rebounding. The 23-year-old Slovenian averages 9.3 rebounds per game in the series. Dallas’ next best rebounder is Diran Finney-Smith, who averages 6.3 boards per game. However, only two other players average four rebounds or more per game: Jalen Brunson and Maxi Kleber.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have seven players that average four rebounds per game. They have been outrebounding the Mavs in the Conference Finals. As a team, the Mavs record 35.8 total rebounds per game, while the Warriors have the double-digit edge on this end at 45.8 boards per game. Looking at Game 4 where the Mavs held the rebounding edge, 45 to 42, it’s a clear component of the team’s efforts to take their game to the next level.
Consistency is of the essence
Despite pulling off the ten-point lead in Game 4, the Mavs still have consistency issues to deal with. Golden State almost closed the gap in the final quarter and made Jason Kidd bring back his starters. Luka Doncic returned to the game to prevent the comeback. The Warriors had cut the Mavs’ lead to single figures, but the hosts made sure they wouldn’t choke by the final whistle.
If Doncic struggles with accuracy, he needs teammates Reggie Bullock and Dorian Finney-Smith to take the slack. This calls for more settled performances from the two players. Having a reliable supporting cast that can deliver numbers means less weight and fatigue for Doncic.
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