If you asked Dallas Mavericks fans how they would feel splitting the series 2-2 while playing three games without their superstar, the response would be pretty positive. However, Dallas lost Game 4 in heartbreaking last-second fashion. Rudy Gobert was able to slam home an alley-oop from Donovan Mitchell with 11 seconds left to play. This dunk gave the Jazz the lead and was a statement to the rumors of the duo's frustrations with each other.

 

The Mavericks had a chance on the final possession but were unable to capitalize. The massive defensive attention on Luka Doncic led to a 3-point attempt from Spencer Dinwiddie, who was unable to connect. This evened the series at two wins apiece. The two teams will travel back to Dallas for Game 5, which will play a major role in deciding the series.

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3 things we learned in Mavs' Game 4 loss to Jazz

Luka Doncic is “That Guy”

The Mavericks exceeded expectations without Luka Doncic, but getting their superstar back is obviously a plus. The Slovenian did not waste any time getting back to his usual self, ending with 30 points and 10 rebounds in his return. Doncic did not appear to be hampered by the calf injury and helped the offense return to its usual style of play. The former Rookie of the Year was a team-high +7 in the matchup.

It was not the best performance of Doncic's career, but he still helped the team a great deal. The gravity he demands from defenses opens things up for the Mavs and their offense. Look for Doncic to capitalize on more passing opportunities moving forward as he tallied just four assists in his return. The Mavericks should be excited to be getting their superstar back with the series still up for grabs.

Jalen Brunson is the real deal

The guy who deserves the largest amount of credit for the Mavs' success without Doncic is Jalen Brunson. The Villanova product has dazzled this postseason and will continue to play a major role even with Doncic's return. In Game 4, Brunson tallied 23 points, five rebounds, and three assists. He trailed only Doncic in field goal attempts by shooting 7-of-18 in the matchup. That is not the best shooting efficiency, but it was still a stellar game overall.

The continued growth of Brunson will continue to play a major role in the Mavericks' postseason success. The 25-year-old has become the second star on Dallas' roster and is finding his stride next to Doncic. While there were concerns about the overlapping ball-dominant nature of the two players, the Doncic and Brunson combo is proving to be effective. Look for Dallas to continue to keep both guys involved in the offense and expect him to demand a major contract during his upcoming free agency.

Jordan Clarkson is Jazz's X-Factor

There is so much attention paid to Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, but this duo has not been the biggest issue for the Mavs. The alley-oop to end the game certainly stung, but neither player has had their best overall series. A guy who opened eyes in Game  4 and deserves a ton of credit for his impact is Jordan Clarkson.

A true microwave scorer, Jordan Clarkson can create some real issues off the bench. The guard caught fire and ended with 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting in Game 4. He knocked down three of his five 3-point attempts and was a +18 in the matchup. The Mavericks need Spencer Dinwiddie to match these bench minutes, but he was unable to do so in the loss. Dinwiddie resumed his role with the second unit due to Doncic's return but scored just five points on 2-for-9 shooting. It is frustrating to have kept the opposing team's main stars in check and still be unable to secure the win. The Mavs must put a larger focus on winning the bench minutes and getting production from their own second unit.

The Mavs should feel confident about the position they are in, but there are adjustments they must make moving forward. With the series tied up, Game 5 will be a major deciding factor on which team is able to advance. Expect both teams to be ready to compete in the matchup and for Dallas to rely on the home crowd. It would be extremely difficult to head back to Utah down 3-2 in the series, so the Mavs must look at this matchup as a must-win game.

The Mavericks still hold the home-court advantage, with Game 7 taking place in Dallas if it is needed.