After tying the series against the Phoenix Suns at two games apiece, the Dallas Mavericks crashed as they absorbed a 110-80 beating in Game 5. A poor outing in the second half spelled the difference as the Mavs are now staring at a 3-2 series disadvantage heading to Game 6.
With their backs against the wall, the Mavs must find their previous form and learn from the lapses that they had in their tough loss. With the next game set to be played on their home floor, Dallas has a good shot at tying the series once more and forcing a do-or-die match with Phoenix in Game 7.
Let's take a look at three big things the Mavs must do to extend the series to a winner-take-all Game 7 against the Suns in the Western Conference Semifinals.
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3 big things Mavs must do to force a Game 7 vs Suns
3. The Mavs must get everyone involved in Game 6.
A huge discrepancy found between the two teams in Game 5 was in the assists department. The Mavs settled with only nine assists for the entire contest as compared to the Suns' 28. The shortage of assists can also be attributed to Dallas' inability to make most of its shots on the floor.
They finished with a dismal 38% shooting from the field while Phoenix ended with 49.4%. The same can be said from beyond the arc as the Mavs only made 25.0% of their total attempts while the Suns shot better with 37.5%.
Dallas only completing nine assists says a lot about how disjointed the team's offense was in Game 5. It also indicated that most of their points came from isolation plays which definitely won't work against a disciplined defensive team like the Suns at this point in the series.
2. Dallas should be more aggressive in crashing the boards.
Another key category where the Mavs fell behind was in terms of rebounding. They were greatly outrebounded by the Suns, 50-38, which spelled a huge difference in the game. Not to mention that Phoenix also grabbed 12 offensive boards as compared to Dallas' six.
A missing link for the Mavs was starting center Dwight Powell who only grabbed a single rebound in seven minutes of action. Other frontcourt players like Maxi Kleber (six rebounds) and Davis Bertans (1 rebound) also struggled in crashing the boards.
Since the Mavs already lack in size as compared to the Suns, all the more that they should attack the glass with more effort and aggressiveness in order to keep up with their opponents. If they fail to do so once again in Game 6 then it will surely hinder Dallas from surviving this series.
1. Core players should all contribute to the scoring department.
In Game 5, Luka Doncic had to carry his team on his back once again after generating 28 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists for the Mavs. Unfortunately, most of his teammates struggled to contribute in the scoring department which played a huge part in their lopsided defeat.
Reggie Bullock went scoreless in 35 minutes of action while Dwight Powell failed to put up a single attempt in eight minutes played. Maxi Kleber settled with four points while Spencer Dinwiddie only scored two points for the Mavs.
Dorian Finney-Smith, who has been a valuable contributor for the team on offense, also struggled in Game 5 after being limited to just eight points. Playing against a loaded Phoenix squad, the other players of Dallas must take the initiative to carry some of the offensive load and help Luka Doncic in putting up points on the board.
Hopefully, the Mavs will come out with renewed energy and play harder on both ends of the floor for four quarters in Game 6. If they successfully do so then they can increase their chances of extending the series and forcing the top-seeded Suns to the edge of this series with a do-or-die Game 7.
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