Dallas Mavericks: Dorian Finney-Smith is catching fire at the right time

The Dallas Mavericks split a pair of games back in mid-March without starting forward Dorian Finney-Smith. He was out for the birth of his son. Since Doe-Doe returned to the lineup, he has been on an absolute tear.

Finney-Smith is playing the best basketball of his career. Over the last 21 games, he averaged 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 33.6 minutes per game. Doe-Doe shot 51.4 percent from the field and 45.1 percent on 5.4 3-point attempts a night during that stretch.

He has his jumper locked in as Dallas pushes to avoid the play-in tournament. Remember, only the top six teams in each conference advance directly to the playoffs this season. Teams seven through ten must take part in the play-in tournament. Fans can hear the format explained here. Let us take a closer look at Finney-Smith’s recent hot streak and what it could mean for the Mavericks in the postseason.

Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith cannot miss right now

Finney-Smith has been a sharpshooter this season. He is shooting 39.3 percent from 3-point range over his 50 games played. The Dallas Mavericks’ starter gets plenty of wide open looks as Luka Doncic draws the defense.

Teams have not adjusted to Doe-Doe being an above-average shooter. He averages 4.3 wide open triples per game on the season. That number has increased to 4.7 over his recent hot stretch, and Finney-Smith is connected at an incredible 46.9 percent.

It is not just the jump shooting, though. Doe-Doe is attacking the rim more and making defenses pay over the last 21 games. Finney-Smith has shot 69.8 percent within five feet of the rim on 53 attempts during that stretch. See him cut for an easy dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 22.

The 6’7 forward has also been more active on the offensive glass. He grabbed two per game last season, but that number is down to 1.7 this year. Over the last 21 games, Finney-Smith is securing 2.2 per night and often converting them into two points for the Dallas Mavericks. See him make the Lakers pay for not boxing out below.

The Dallas Mavericks need Dorian Finney-Smith to knock down shots in the playoffs. Luka Doncic will draw even more attention when the games matter most. Doe-Doe and Maxi Kleber will be important floor spacers that figure to see plenty of wide open looks. Those two converting at a high clip could be the difference between a first-round exit and a postseason run for the Mavs.

Finney-Smith could make a massive contribution on the offensive glass too. Getting two extra possessions per game in the playoffs might be the difference between winning and losing a tight series against a formidable foe. In the Western Conference, every series will be difficult. Extra possessions and sinking open shots are massive differentiators.

Expect Dorian Finney-Smith to play significant minutes and a key role for the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs. He is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, but that could change with a massive postseason performance. Doe-Doe is up to the task, so stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.