Naji Marshall is becoming the versatile offensive weapon the Mavericks need

After a quiet performance in his first game back from illness against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, Naji Marshall returned to his old self in a nail-biter against the San Antonio Spurs. Marshall finished with 22 points on 75 percent shooting, which was incredibly valuable in a game against a top defensive team. The Dallas Mavericks' 19-point deficit was erased thanks to Naji's fourth-quarter heroics, as he scored 13 points and helped Dallas get within striking distance.

Naji Marshall's scoring gave the Mavericks another weapon

Throughout the first half, the usual transition offense wasn't there for the Mavs, making scoring in general harder to come by. To switch things up in the second half, Head Coach Dusty May went to some small-ball lineups featuring more Marshall, Caleb Martin, and P.J. Washington in the frontcourt.

This gave the Mavs more shooting and space, which is just what Marshall needed to start heating up. In the third quarter, Naji drove into open space for a layup and, in the final seconds, made a shot from the corner; however, it counted as a 2-pointer with his foot on the 3-point line.

He carried that momentum into the fourth quarter, where he made all three of his 3-pointers, along with two more paint buckets. When good looks were hard to come by, Marshall made the most of them with great efficiency. Even though the Mavs didn't come away with a win, Naji's game made a statement about his versatility that Dallas needs from him moving forward.

Marshall's scoring versatility could solve one of Dallas' problems

In times when Cooper Flagg is going through a rough stretch, or Daniel Gafford and Morez Johnson Jr. can't get much going in the paint, like against the Spurs, Naji's inside scoring can make up for it. And when his 3-point shot is falling, like it was, he can be a legit second- or third-option scorer.

It's more than just Marshall's scoring that can help the Mavericks; it's how he scores. Last season, he was a very efficient short mid-range and rim scorer, shooting 71 percent at the rim and 54 percent from the short mid-range. Those were both well above the league average for forwards, with his short mid-range being one of the best in the league.

Naji's scoring has also come in half-court sets where the Mavericks have a harder time scoring than in transition. He has been one of the most effective pick-and-roll scorers on the team, ranking second behind Flagg in efficiency and frequency.

Having that variety and efficiency from Marshall on offense adds such a dynamic scorer to the team, and it opens up so many more ways to win on any given night. Even though his nickname is "The Knife," Naji Marshall is the Swiss Army knife of scoring for the Mavericks, and they need this to continue moving forward.

One of Dallas' biggest weaknesses has been shot creation this season, and if Marshall can keep getting to the paint and scoring with his floater and making defenses pay for leaving him open beyond the arc, the team will be in a much better spot.

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