5 outside the box strategies Mavericks coach Jason Kidd could try in the playoffs

Strategy Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd could try in playoffs: 5. No big men

After trading Kristaps Porzingis to Washington, Boban Marjanovic is the only player on the Mavs roster over seven feet tall. Coach Kidd has still opted to play Dwight Powell at the five with Maxi Kleber coming off the bench, but that could change in the postseason.

Teams often go small and try to prioritize ball-handling and floor spacing over size. The LA Clippers did this to the Mavericks in last year’s playoffs to grab the edge in the series. Dallas is better equipped to counter in 2022, and they could put their big men totally on ice in a series.

Dwight Powell is one of the league’s best roll men, but his skill set is limited. If the opposition can take away his effectiveness rolling to the basket and make him a defensive liability, Kidd will have no choice but to go in another direction.

Kleber would be the next obvious option, but his shooting slump could force the Mavericks head coach to take him out of the rotation too. That would leave Dallas going small with four guards/wings around superstar Luka Doncic. It allows the Mavs to maximize their shooting and playmaking but could cause some rebounding and rim protection issues.

Expect the Dallas Mavericks to use this in the postseason as Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jalen Brunson, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Reggie Bullock are likely the team’s leading minutes’ getters.