Dallas Mavericks struggle without Anthony Davis
The Dallas Mavericks are in the midst of a challenging stretch, grappling with their performance in the absence of star forward Anthony Davis. Without him in the lineup, the Mavericks have seen their fortunes decline sharply, landing at No. 23 in the latest power rankings from NBA.com, a drop from their previous position.
Current Standing and Performance
Anthony Davis has now missed 13 consecutive games, and the impact has been profound. During this stretch, the Mavericks have managed a dismal 3-10 record, a statistic that stands out even against a backdrop of relatively manageable opponents. John Schuhmann noted, “The Mavs have still played just four true road games but will play 11 of their next 16 away from American Airlines Center. They’ll have three days off between stops in Miami and L.A. this week.”
With the road ahead looking daunting, the Mavericks need to dig deep as they navigate this challenging phase.
Close Games and Missed Opportunities
Despite their struggles, there is a flicker of hope for the Mavericks. Many of their recent games have been tightly contested, which indicates potential for improvement. Schuhmann highlighted that “no matter the strength of the opponent, the Mavs play close games, and most of them haven’t been very pretty down the stretch.” In fact, 13 of their last 15 contests have been decided by five points or less.
However, the numbers tell a story of missed opportunities. The Mavericks and their rivals have combined for a mere 102 points per 100 clutch possessions, showcasing the difficulty they’ve faced in critical moments. A recent game against the Knicks exemplified this struggle, where Dallas scored just seven points on 13 clutch possessions, culminating in missed shots and a disallowed game-tying layup.
Rebounding Woes
A significant issue contributing to their slide has been rebounding. In their losses to the Timberwolves and Grizzlies last week—both games played without Dereck Lively II—the Mavericks experienced their two worst rebounding performances of the season. Lively, who has shown to be a pivotal player when on the court, has played a mere 115 minutes across seven games this season, and the Mavericks have boasted a rebounding percentage of 52.8% with him in the lineup.
As they prepare for a long road trip, the pressure is mounting for the Mavericks. Their ability to compete in tight games will be crucial if they hope to regain momentum and climb back into playoff contention.
Future Outlook
While the current state of the Mavericks appears bleak, the ability to keep games competitive is a promising sign. If they can harness this potential and convert close contests into wins, the Mavericks could find themselves inching closer to the middle of the pack in the Western Conference standings. As they approach critical matchups, the focus will be on resilience and execution, especially with a demanding schedule ahead.
