Finney-Smith reminds Mavericks they should've turned rumors into a reality

The Dallas Mavericks snapped their five-game losing streak on Tuesday when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-97 in a much-needed win at home. Dallas' offense did their part, as they outscored the Lakers in almost every quarter. The team shot 52.3 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from the 3-point line, leading them to a blowout win.

Klay Thompson was a key component of the Mavericks' shooting. Thompson knocked down 50 percent of his field goal attempts. He went on a nice run in the second quarter, knocking down three straight 3-pointers to give Dallas a five-point lead at halftime. Thompson has done a great job filling in with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving absent, as he continues to silence doubters who expected him to struggle without Dallas' top two scorers.

Quentin Grimes also rocked out in the win. Grimes was the team's leading scorer, having a near double-double with 23 points and nine rebounds. He also shot 54.5 percent from the 3-point line. Grimes's offensive potential continues to be unlocked by the Mavs' offense and Jason Kidd's trust in him. He is averaging 17.3 points per game in January while shooting 47.5 percent from the field.

While the Mavs' offense shined, the defense had their work cut out for them. Anthony Davis torched the team, and their struggles to defend strong interior players continued. Davis recorded a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Los Angeles also scored 40 points inside the pain, as Dallas was without Daniel Gafford, who is expected to miss some time with a left ankle sprain.

Finney-Smith proves to Mavs they should've traded for him

Another Lakers player who performed well was former Maverick Dorian Finney-Smith. He came off the bench and scored 11 points. He also shot 75 percent from long range and recorded three defensive boards. Finney-Smith was the only Laker with a positive plus/minus rating finishing +3.

Finney-Smith's stats have been relatively quiet since being traded to Los Angeles, but he is starting to pick things up. He has averaged eight points per game over the past four games and shot 45 percent from the field. This is different from his first game with the Lakers when he scored two points and missed both of his 3-point attempts. He also recorded two fouls and made one shot in under 20 minutes of action.

However, if Mavs' fans know anything, it's that Finney-Smith's impact goes beyond the stat sheet. Finney-Smith is willing to go above and beyond defensively. He is an excellent defender who can guard multiple positions and isn't afraid to guard the opposition's best player down the stretch. Finney-Smith can also play strong minutes late in games, as he is a physical and versatile forward who thrives in big moments.

Offensively, Finney Smith is also a strong forward who can score from multiple angles. He isn't afraid to attack the basket when needed and is comfortable shooting from deep. The Lakers' forward will grow into the team's system over time. The game against the Mavs proves that Finney-Smith plays at his best level whenever he is comfortable and getting open shots.

Simply put, Finney-Smith made sure Dallas realized what they missed out on in Monday night's game at the American Airlines Center. The Mavs were interested in making a move for Finney-Smith at both of the past trade deadlines, but they never pulled the trigger on a move to bring him back to Big D. The Mavs happen to need a defensive-minded wing with size badly right now, and Finney-Smith would have been the perfect fit to fill that role.

Finney-Smith performed his best against his former team on Tuesday night, as he looked comfortable shooting at his former arena and played sound defense as he always does. Dallas could reunite with Finney-Smith this summer, as he is set to become a free agent, and this could be the perfect chance for him to team up with his good friend Luka Doncic again.

The Dallas Mavericks will face Dorian Finney-Smith and the Los Angeles Lakers again on February 25. Until then, Dallas will rest up, as they will face off against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.