Dallas Mavericks: Examining late game struggles and how offense changes

Other Dallas Mavericks are missing open shots or doing too much

There are a few ways to look at this point. Maybe, the Mavs have been unlucky. There is a strong case to support that as being fact. Another part is certain players are trying to do too much late in games. Let us take a look at each.

In the final five minutes of regulation, only four players took shots for Dallas. Maxi Kleber got two wide-open 3-pointers. Doncic was one of four from the field. KP also hit one of four. Tim Hardaway Jr. missed both of his attempts.

They were both cases of THJ doing too much. He drove and attempted two heavily contested layups. It is not the first time either. Here is an example against the Heat from before the NBA suspended play.

The Mavericks need a better look than that. Maxi Kleber is wide open, but THJ is too focused on getting his own shot off.

There is some unluckiness too. Curry is two of eight from 3-point range in clutch time including missing five open looks. KP is two of 15 from downtime to go with Luka’s four of 34 in these situations. Even against the toughest defense in the world, that is bad luck.

Doris Burke made an interesting point on the ESPN telecast on Friday night. She mentioned the struggles could be getting into the Mavericks’ heads. Lack of confidence could explain some of the poor numbers too.

Next: KP's lack of shot creation