Mavericks: The importance of Dwight Powell in the playoffs becomes clear

Dwight Powell helps the Mavericks defeat double teams on Luka Doncic

Teams are going to load up Luka Doncic in the playoffs, but few will be as aggressive as the Lakers were on Saturday night. They trapped and double-teamed him nearly every time Luka got the ball. Los Angeles was not going to let Doncic beat them without Kristaps Porzingis and Josh Richardson in the lineup. Powell proved he can help the Mavericks defeat those double teams.

Dallas was using Powell to set the screens for Luka. The Lakers would quickly double team with Dennis Schroder and Andre Drummond. They often had Anthony Davis waiting at the rim to contest, but that did not stop Powell. See a fancy finish from the Mavs big man below.

Schroder tried denying the ball going to Luka on multiple occasions. Drummond was ready to spring out and double team as soon as Doncic touched it, but that left Powell with the ball all alone. He made the Lakers pay.

https://twitter.com/dallasmavs/status/1386119653194309638

Luka carved them up with his passing in the second half. He repeatedly made the right read to defeat the double team. It often ended up with Powell getting an easy finish. Here he beats Anthony Davis at the rim again.

Powell finished with 25 points on 11 of 12 shooting from the field against the Lakers on April 24. Most importantly, the 6’10 big man proved that he is healthy and ready to be a key contributor for the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs. Luka will see plenty of double teams, expect Dwight Powell to help him vanquish them.

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