OKC Thunder: NBA Power Rankings -Griffin buyout shifts ladder at half way mark

Dallas Mavericks:

Week 11: 2-0
Won vs: Magic 130-124, OKC Thunder 87-78

Week 12 opponents: Spurs, @Thunder, @Nuggets

Offense: (112.3) 13th
Defense: (112.6) 24th
Net: (Minus -0.3) 17th

Of all the young squads the Mavericks are demonstrating their ability to improve from lessons learned.

Last season hitting clutch time was invariably a recipe for disaster but this year they’ve spun that narrative. In 2019-20 Dallas ranked 20th in clutch games whereas this season they rank 10th and it’s not just Luka Doncic coming through.

Along with Doncic, Josh Richardson, Maxi Keber, and Dorian Finey-Smith have all hit game-winners and Jalen Brunson is proving to be a major clutch time asset.

The other clear change is the Mavericks who feasted offensively last year seem to be gearing their efforts to improving defensively. While the season mark isn’t ideal (24th) in their final seven matches they posted the second-best defense lowering their 112.6 to 106.9.

The next part of the equation will be delivering that defensive effort consistently. And, that big blue elephant in the room is whether Kristaps Porzingis can stay on the floor and affect play on both sides of the hardwood. His ability to meet those expectations will dictate how far the Mavericks can ascend.