5 questions Dallas Mavericks must answer after the All-Star break

Can Dallas Mavericks play enough defense to make a deep playoff run?

This will be the biggest question facing the team until fans see how they perform in the postseason. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are going to make sure they score enough buckets to be in every game, but can they secure enough stops to win?

The Mavs reached the conference finals last season on the back of their defense. They were in the top ten in defensive rating during the regular season before holding the Utah Jazz to 100 or fewer points in four of the six games in the first round. Dallas limited the Suns to their three worst scoring games of the season in the conference semifinals to advance.

Maxi Kleber’s return will improve their defense, but the Mavericks cannot expect him to single-handedly vault them up the rankings. Dallas is currently 24th in defensive rating, and it will take a total team effort to finish in the top 15. Will the Mavs make it down the stretch and into the playoffs? Do they have enough talent to climb that high? Their defense is something to watch closely moving forward.

The Dallas Mavericks are going to be fun and fascinating to watch down the stretch. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving make them cannot miss basketball, but can they become title contenders? Stay tuned to find out.