3 takeaways from Dallas Mavericks Game 6 playoff clinching win over Jazz

The Dallas Mavericks rode an impressive third quarter to a 98-96 victory over the Utah Jazz to close out their first-round playoff series in Salt Lake City. It was the Mavs' first postseason series win since bringing the title back to Dallas in 2011, and the first one for superstar Luka Doncic, but the game was not without its nervous moments.

The Mavericks struggled in the first half, and they were down by 12 at the break. Dallas was just three of 18 from 3-point range as Utah made some smart strategic adjustments, but Dallas just kept fighting. The Jazz forced the ball out of Luka’s hands in the fourth quarter, and the Mavericks had just enough to pick up the road win and advance.

Dallas knocked out the Jazz on April 28, but there were still plenty of takeaways for the Mavericks as they move forward to face the top-seeded Phoenix Suns. Here is a look at three of the biggest.

3 takeaways from Dallas Mavericks playoff Game 6 closeout win over the Jazz

The Mavs got back in the game in the third quarter when they replaced Dwight Powell with Spencer Dinwiddie to give them three ball-handlers on the floor. Head coach Jason Kidd has used lineups featuring three guards and two wings sparingly in the first five games of the series, but it has worked well in Game 6. It is something Dallas could employ more moving forward, especially if the opposition goes small.

The Mavericks have things to solve moving forward, and here is a look at three takeaways from their clinching win over the Jazz.