5 problems Dallas Mavericks must address before the playoffs

Problem Dallas Mavericks address before the playoffs: 5. Keep Luka calm

The margin for error gets slimmer in the postseason. Every point and possession matters as most games come down to the final shot. The Mavericks cannot afford to give away free points, which happens when Luka Doncic gets upset with the referees. He has received 15 technical fouls this season and has given away numerous other points staying back to argue a call.

Doncic is not going to win those arguments, and it only hurts his team, so the Mavericks need to keep him calm in the playoffs. Every team is going to play physical with Luka and attempt to get under his skin. They will be looking to wear him down with the hopes of slowing him up in the fourth quarter.

Number 77 will take plenty of contact in the playoffs, and the referees tend to allow more physicality. If Luka gets frustrated, it could be the difference in a game or the series.

Doncic knows this is a problem, and he has started singing to himself to try to combat it. The 23-year-old calms down before having a discussion with the officials at a stoppage in play. He has not been whistled for a technical foul since March 9, and his new method could be the key to staying calm in the playoffs.

Luka Doncic must find something that works because the Dallas Mavericks cannot afford to give away points. Plus, LD will be locked in and producing monster stat lines, so keeping him on his game will be a key for Dallas.