5 adjustments Dallas Mavericks need to make in playoff Game 2 vs. Suns

Adjustment Dallas Mavericks need to make in Game 2 vs. Suns: 1. Go smaller

The Mavs had success going ultra-small in the fourth quarter of Game 1. Head coach Jason Kidd’s second-most used lineup was Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, Spencer Dinwiddie, Reggie Bullock, and Dorian Finney-Smith as Dallas outscored the Suns by four points in their 7.5 minutes on the floor together.

That lineup allows the Mavericks to switch everything and gives them three ball-handlers on the floor together to run their offense. Mikal Bridges is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, but he cannot guard everyone. Dallas can force switches and make the Suns pay a bit easier with multiple ball-handlers on the floor.

Going smaller also makes life more difficult for Phoenix center Deandre Ayton. In this lineup, he is forced to defend on the perimeter but has a massive size advantage inside on the offensive end of the floor.

The Dallas Mavericks only lost one game, but it is clear that is time to reach into the bag of tricks if they want to avoid going down 2-0. Dallas needs to make adjustments or the Phoenix Suns are going to dominate this series. What will head coach Jason Kidd and the Mavs do in Game 2? Be sure to tune in and find out.