Mavericks' new style of play is working wonders this season

Lorenzo Almanza

Dallas Mavericks v Atlanta Hawks / Kevin C. Cox/GettyImages

The Dallas Mavericks are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Dallas averages 122.8 points per game, the second-highest in the league while shooting 39.4 percent from behind the 3-point line.

All-Stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have been the difference makers for Dallas. They have led the team to an 8-3 record, and Doncic has solidified himself as a top-three MVP candidate in the league.

Irving, on the other hand, continues to prove doubters wrong. His vocal presence and leadership have been massive for Dallas.

Mavericks' new style of play is working wonders this season

He has demonstrated positive teamwork on and off the court.

The Mavs hit reality Tuesday when the team fell to the New Orleans Pelicans 131-110. The Dallas starters struggled to find a rhythm, as no one scored above 17 points. The team also allowed 60 points inside the paint. This is a recurring problem for Dallas, as the team has allowed 56.8 points per game inside.

However, the loss didn't do much to the Mavs. They still own the third-best record in the Western Conference and have shown vast improvement from last season. Dallas just has to find a way to bounce back.

One area the team has excelled in is their play in transition.

Dallas has improved their pace drastically as the team is averaging 102.14 possessions per game. This is a step up from the previous season, where they ranked 28th in pace per game and averaged 97.21 possessions a game.

Irving spoke about the team's improved pace on Sunday. He mentioned how team chemistry and improved teamwork have been the difference.

"You have spurts of four to five minutes where a play isn't being called. It's a constant pace; we're running to our spots remembering little details that make us a great squad. "
Kyrie Irving

Coach Jason Kidd also elaborated on the team's improved pace. He mentioned how the team is playing at a quicker rate and passing the ball more efficiently.

In previous years, the Dallas offense was considered stagnant and slow. The Mavs' offense would run through Doncic, where he would oftentimes hold the ball for most of the shot clock.

Things have changed this season though. Doncic and the Mavs are playing unselfish basketball and moving the ball much more efficiently and often.

Mavs offense at its best: Luka in pick-and-roll with athletic lob threat and three 40 percent shooters spread around.

Imagine it's wide open Kyrie Irving you have to close-out against.

And another in category of ridiculous Doncic passes. pic.twitter.com/vx5AxWBpFx
— Iztok Franko (@iztok_franko) November 14, 2023

In the video, you can see Doncic finding the man in the open corner and Tim Hardaway Jr. making the extra pass to find the open Irving.

After Sunday's victory over New Orleans, Luka elaborated on the team's unselfish play. He reiterated how the team was having fun and was willing to share the ball more.

Could the team's new style of play be the difference maker this season? How would much will their pace continue to improve? Could their unselfish attitude be the key to a successful season?

For all the latest on Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.

Lorenzo Almanza

Lorenzo Almanza is a contributing writer for the Smoking Cuban where he has been covering the Dallas Mavericks since their infamous playoff run during the 2023-24 season. He currently holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Texas State University and has used his platform to expand sports coverage to various audiences. His previous work has been featured on big networks such as Sports Illustrated and USA Today. He also writes for a Latino magazine, as he transcribes/writes features about famous and successful Latinos. Lorenzo is a reporter for the Irving Rambler, where he does coverage for the Northwest side of Dallas. In his spare time, he loves playing NBA 2K, teaching, and spending quality time with his wife and cat.