93% of NBA teams that have gone up 2-0 in a series have gone on to win that series. With Luka Doncic still not ready to come back, game 2 of the first-round series between the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz feels almost like a must-win game for the Mavericks.

When examining what the Mavericks can do better, all evaluations have to begin with Jalen Brunson.

Without Doncic on the floor, Brunson is the de-facto lead ballhandler and scorer for Dallas – and he has to play better than what we saw in game one.

Brunson finished game one vs. Utah shooting 9/24 from the floor, with a 39.6 EFG% and a 45% TS%. That is way below the 58% TS% that Brunson displayed during the regular season.

While Brunson is going to have to carry the bulk of the load of the offense, the Mavericks will have to find a way to attack the rim and score easy points near the basket.

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Now, that is easier said than done, especially with three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert patrolling the paint.

The Mavericks shot 50% on just 16 shot attempts within four feet of the basket in game one – roughly five % of their total shot attempts for the entire game.
The Mavericks ranked 19th in the NBA in three-point % during the regular season at 35.2% and tied for 18th in three-point % in home games at 36.4%. While shooting 29% on 31 attempts is below-average (even for the Mavericks), Dallas will not be able to rely on their three-point shooting to win these games.

Jason Kidd has his work cut out for him tomorrow night without his bonafide superstar, and the honus will be on him to try and figure out a way to get the Mavericks to score more points against a frankly subpar Jazz perimeter defense.