The Dallas Mavericks are on a four-game winning streak, even without All-Star Luka Doncic for two of the games. Doncic is expected to miss at least a week, as he suffered a right wrist sprain. The injury came against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. It was a game where Doncic had just returned from a right knee contusion and the Pelicans were missing multiple starters.
Dallas on the other hand has played well without Doncic. He has missed two of the past three games. In those games, Dallas beat the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets. Both games were decided by three points or less, as Dallas finally overcame their late-game blunders for the time being.
One of the earlier wins in the Mavs' winning streak was a victory over the San Antonio Spurs, before the Thunder game. This is a change of scenery, as Dallas had recently been on a four-game losing streak. The Mavs' four losses were all decided by three points or less.
Mavericks' bench has responded well to Kidd's harsh criticism
One reason for the Mavs' turnaround has been the play and production of the bench. The non-starters have stepped up nicely, as they have played a pivotal role during the team's winning streak. For example, against the Spurs the Mavs' bench combined for 54 points. Daniel Gafford and Jaden Hardy tallied 34 points and 10 rebounds combined, as they both shot above 40 percent from the field.
The Mavs' bench has done an excellent job responding to Kidd's criticism at the beginning of the month. Dallas's coach expressed his frustration with the bench after the team's one-point loss to the Phoenix Suns on November 8. The bench had combined for nine points, as Dwight Powell was the leading bench scorer.
"As deep as we are, we got to get someone to (expletive) participate off the bench," Kidd said.
Kidd called out the team's bench after the aforementioned loss to the Suns. He reasoned that their lack of production had to stop. Kidd stated that the "bench stinks right now." He went on to use foul language, expressing how Dallas needed someone to step up off the bench.
Kidd reasoned that he gave everyone a fighting chance to prove themselves and no one stepped up. "Somebody has to join the party to help Kai and Luka, and that's just not happening right now," Kidd said. He had plenty to be frustrated with.
The Mavs' bench currently averages 32.3 points per game, the 22nd highest in the league. This is a big improvement from the 27.1 points per game the bench averaged heading into that Suns game, and everyone is starting to come along in their roles.
Players like Naji Marshall have responded nicely to Kidd's message. Marshall has scored above 13 points per game in his past three games. His breakout performance against Denver helped solidify his case for Dallas signing him in the offseason. The savvy forward scored a season-high 26 points against the Nuggets. He also shot 75 percent from the 3-point line.
This is a major difference from his first five games with the team. Marshall struggled to find any sort of rhythm early in the season. He averaged 3.2 points per game in October and shot zero percent from long range. He has done an excellent job stepping up for Dallas when called upon. Marshall has stepped up at the perfect time, as he has played a major role during the team's winning streak.
Quentin Grimes and Spencer Dinwiddie have also helped Dallas tremendously. Grimes has averaged 12 points per game over the past three games. He also played a solid game against the Nuggets, as he scored 14 points and shot 50 percent from the 3-point line.
Dinwiddie too has answered the call. He has scored 10 points in both of the past two games and shot above 60 percent from the 3-point line. This is more than he had scored the three games prior.
If Marshall, Grimes, and the rest of the Dallas bench can continue performing at a high level, then Dallas should be just fine. The Mavs' bench will need to continue playing well, as Dallas will be without Doncic for at least a few more games. The performance off the bench was been a major strength as of late, and with Marshall leading the way, they have the potential to turn into one of the better bench units in the NBA.
The Dallas Mavericks will look to extend their winning streak Sunday when they faceoff against the Miami Heat.
