Dallas Mavericks: 5 rotation mistakes Jason Kidd must avoid

Rotation mistake Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd must avoid: 2. Overtaxing KP

The Mavs need Kristaps Porzingis healthy and playing his best basketball in the playoffs if they are going to go on a deep run as Luka Doncic is the only player that dictates the team’s postseason success more. Teams will attempt to take the Unicorn out of the game, but he has to be on the floor to create that threat.

Porzingis played just 43 of 72 regular-season games last season. He missed the first nine recovering from offseason meniscus surgery, and the team tried to maintain his health all season. There were small injury-related absences, but nothing Dallas could not overcome.

The Mavericks need to be careful to not put too much on the Unicorn’s plate after he averaged a career-low of 30.9 minutes per game last season. Head coach Jason Kidd needs to keep his playing time down and be sure that Porzingis gets plenty of rest, so he is ready when the games matter most.

Playing KP at the five factors in here too. Can the Unicorn stay health playing center full-time? Are their games where he needs to be used at the four to avoid the matchup? Coach Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks need to make sure they are doing whatever possible to keep Kristaps Porzingis healthy.