Dallas Mavericks: Three reasons the Mavs lost to the Jazz

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DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 28: Ekpe Udoh #33 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during a game on October 28, 2018 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Bench scoring

Unlike the three-point shooting issue that has been a part of this year’s Mavs team since day 1, the bench scoring has actually been quite good for the team. Between Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell, J.J. Barea, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson, the Mavs have had a pretty good bench unit up to this point.

When Dirk Nowitzki and Devin Harris get back, the bench unit will improve even more. Just as I always expected, the Mavs bench could be a real strength to their team but they need to start clicking on all cylinders. Once that happens, people will see why Carlisle leaves the second unit it for important parts of the game.

Tonight was not a good example of what the Mavs bench is capable of. Maxi scored 11 points on 4-8 shooting and was the only bench player that made a major impact on the game. All 5 bench players that ended up getting minutes in the game also ended below zero in the plus-minus stat.

Compared to the Mavs starters, the bench looked really bad. That seems like an obvious statement, but guys like Maxi and Dwight Powell and even Barea have been the best player on the roster on different occasions so far this season. That was not even close to the truth tonight.

The bench is going to have to find their norm again if the team is going to have success, especially during this run of difficult games over the next week or so. I think it will be alright, but only time will tell.

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