Mavericks' surprising solution to injury troubles is standing right in front of them

The Dallas Mavericks bounced back nicely against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday as they won 119-99. Luka Doncic did his part, recording a double-double with 27 points and 13 assists. He was three rebounds shy of a triple-double.

Doncic also got extra assistance from Kyrie Irving early on. Irving recorded 15 points in the first quarter and went 6-7 from the field. He did his part playing well on both ends of the court. His aggressiveness helped lead the way, and he made some big defensive plays that led to layups on the other end.

However, not everything went well for Dallas. The team was outrebounded 51-47, as Chicago recorded five more offensive rebounds. It doesn't help when half of your frontcourt is injured. The Mavs played without forwards P.J. Washington and Maxi Kleber, as well as center Dereck Lively II.

Washington was the latest player to get injured; he is currently dealing with a knee sprain. Kleber on the other hand is dealing with a hamstring strain and he has played in just two games this season. As for Lively II, he suffered a shoulder sprain that forced him to miss the previous two games.

Marshall will help the Mavericks overcome their mounting injuries

In simple terms, Dallas' roster is razor-thin. Dante Exum was the first player to go down. He had surgery last month to deal with an injury he suffered in training camp. Dallas' injuries are putting them in an extremely tough position considering that all four injured players are in the regular rotation, but the answer to the depth lost by the injuries is starting the Mavericks in the face.

This is where fan-favorite Naji Marshall comes in. Marshall struggled offensively during his first month with the team. In October, he averaged 3.2 points per game while shooting 28.6 percent from the field.

His defense though has been his bread and butter. Marshall has done an excellent job guarding multiple positions on the defensive end and playing tight on the perimeter. His aggressive style stands out, as he isn't afraid to use his body to make things difficult for the opposition. He has quick hands too, as he has five steals over the team's past three games.

Marshall's consistency and improvement will be key to Dallas overcoming injuries. Marshall had his best game on Monday, scoring 20 points and shooting 100 percent from the 3-point line. On Wednesday, Marshall started his first game. He poured in eight points and two steals in 21 minutes of action.

It seems as though he is starting to get comfortable with the team. Center Daniel Gafford noticed Marshall's improvement. He believes Marshall has taken the "right approach."

Marshall's consistent level of play will be critical for Dallas' future success. If he can continue to shoot the ball well and play superior defense, the Mavs will have no problem overcoming this injury bug. His level of play will determine the team's future outlook for the season, as they need to keep the level of play high even though they're dealing with countless injuries.

Marshall will likely start Friday, as Washington is ruled out. He will likely be charged with the big task of guarding Kevin Durant. His success could help Dallas avenge their previous loss to Phoenix from earlier in the season.