5 big concerns for Dallas Mavericks come playoff time

The Dallas Mavericks are fighting for playoff position down the stretch. With one month left in the regular season, they are tied for sixth in the Western Conference, but just three games separate fifth and 13th. Dallas is just 3.5 games behind the Suns for fourth, who will be without Kevin Durant for the majority of the regular season. Every game matters with 15 to go.

The Mavs' focus should be winning games right now. They do not want to have to go through the Play-In Tournament, which means they must move up in the standings. Can they make a push?

No team will be eager to face Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in the playoffs. The Mavs have weaknesses, but either superstar can take over a series and lift his team to victory. Dallas has plenty of worry about too, and here are their five biggest concerns in the postseason.

5. Living and dying by outside shooting could sink Dallas Mavericks in playoffs

The Mavs are third in the NBA in 3-pointers attempted at 40.9 per game. Since Kyrie’s first game with the team, they are taking 42.7, but sit fourth in the league. Dallas has the highest 3-point percentage in the NBA since Feb. 8 at 41.2 percent

Doncic and Irving are going to create a ton of open looks, but Dallas will live and die with their 3-point shooting. A cold few games from downtown could be the difference in a tight series, and they all figure to be difficult in the crowded Western Conference.

The Mavs rode their defense and shot-making to the conference finals last year, but there are zero guarantees those open looks go down in the playoffs. Their volume of shooting is a bit concerning, especially with how fickle it can be in a small sample like a postseason series.

The Dallas Mavericks have much bigger issues than their shooting when the playoffs arrive. Dallas won’t win without makings shots, but the minutes without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving both on the floor should be a significant concern.