Perfect time for Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. to breakout is now

On Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks took on the Denver Nuggets in a must-win matinee affair. After battling back and forth and almost blowing a 13-point lead at the end of the fourth, the Mavericks would pull out the 107-105 victory over the Nuggets after a stunning left-handed hook shot from Kyrie Irving to beat the final buzzer.

The Mavericks have won five of their last six games and have massively improved over this recent stretch. Against the Nuggets, the Mavs outrebounded them 60-37 and recorded 16 more offensive rebounds over the former NBA Champs. Additionally, the Mavericks dominated the paint by outscoring the Nuggets 62-38 down low.

Against Denver, the Mavericks proved to be a team that is better than their 39-29 record suggests. Beating a squad that has lost just one game since the All-Star break should be a statement to other teams about what the Mavericks can do in the playoffs. However, one question still remains for Dallas.

Perfect time for Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. to breakout is now

Since going down with an ankle sprain in last week's loss to the OKC Thunder, Josh Green's role has yet to be filled offensively. Green had an up-and-down season to that point but had become a consistent corner threat for opposing teams.

One player who fans have called on to fill Green's role is Derrick Jones Jr. The high-flying forward had become one of Dallas' best role players throughout the beginning of the season until he hit a major wall on both sides of the floor.

Throughout March, Jones Jr. has gotten his shooting touch back. The 6-foot-6 forward has shot 47.4 percent from behind the arc in March, and that is up almost 24 percent from the previous month. It seems like Jones Jr.'s 3-point emergence couldn't have come at a better time for the Mavericks.

Jones Jr. has also shown his value offensively as a driver due to his ability to attack the rim rather than settling for a catch-and-shoot three every time.

Defensively, Jones Jr. has become one of the Mavericks' best defenders around the perimeter. Since being reintroduced into the starting lineup at the beginning of the month, P.J. Washington and Jones Jr. have become a feared duo around the perimeter.

Consistency has been the downfall of Jones Jr.'s minutes, so if he can become a consistent offensive producer, he should become the breakout role player the Mavs need for their playoff push. Dallas is currently sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference, so they will need all of Jones Jr.'s help to get out of the play-in race.

For more updates on Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., and the Dallas Mavericks, stay plugged in.