How Far can Luka Doncic take the Mavericks into the playoffs

(Jerome Miron - USA TODAY Sports)

Luka Magic has been in full effect for the NBA Playoffs, the superstar is averaging 35.7 points per game, 7.9 rebounds and 10.3 assists in the 2021-22 playoffs with the fourth seed Dallas Mavericks. 

After taking down the Utah Jazz and number one seed Phoenix Suns, the Mavericks are just one series away from competing in the NBA Finals. True underdogs Luka Doncic and the Mavericks have gone the distance going six games with the Jazz and seven games with the Suns; however the Mavericks are now down three games to zero to the Golden State Warriors. Out of 146 NBA playoff series zero teams have recovered from a three to zero game deficit and only 13 teams have overcome a three to one game deficit to win game seven in the playoffs. 

To avoid elimination by the Warriors the Mavericks need production from Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie along with others to go along with Luka’s on-going scoring outburst. Dallas’s five-out offense relies heavily on perimeter and iso based scoring from Doncic, Brunson and Dinwiddie; without their efficient play through shooting and drive-and-kick assists competing with the Warriors will be near impossible. Combining that with Doncic playing through a shoulder injury it's even more important for the other Mavericks to step up their play to avoid elimination.

If Jalen Brunson can reproduce his game two performance of 31 points against the Warriors and share the load with Doncic the Mavericks have a serious chance to win the series. The Mavericks need to avoid starting out slow in the remaining games and limit their turnovers to counter the Warriors elite transition offense. Securing rebounds on both ends is also crucial to the defensive game plan for the Mavericks in order to prevent second and third chance shots from skilled shooters Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.

(AP Photo/ Tony Gutierrez)

Coach Jason Kidd doesn't have many options for points off the bench with Spencer Dinwiddie being the only Mavericks player to score double digits off the bench. In game three, Mavericks players combined for 130 minutes but only nine points excluding Dinwiddie, Doncic and Brunson. Major offensive struggles from Reggie Bullock, Maxi Kleber and Davis Bertans will have to be corrected to effectively run the Dallas system. Scoring and rebounding issues will need to be addressed in the draft and free agency to increase the chances of a deep playoff run for the Mavericks in the future.