Who steps up for Mavericks with Spencer Dinwiddie out vs. Cavaliers?

The Dallas Mavericks will be shorthanded as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the second night of a back-to-back set. Guard Spencer Dinwiddie was ruled out as he continues his recovery from his ACL surgery in Jan. 2021. He has not played in both ends of a back-to-back this season, and the 6’5 guard joins Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke, Sterling Brown, and Theo Pinson on the sidelines.

Dinwiddie has been fantastic since joining the Mavericks in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. He has put up 17.2 points 4.2 assists, and 3.4 rebounds on 49.8 percent shooting from the field and 38.6 percent on his threes. The 28-year-old adds a new dimension to the Mavs offense with his ability to attack off the dribble and space the floor. Dallas is 14-4 with Dinwiddie in the lineup.

The Mavericks will miss him on Wednesday night in Cleveland as they look to move up to third in the Western Conference. Who steps up for Dallas with the 6’5 guard on the sidelines?

Who steps up for Dallas Mavericks with Spencer Dinwiddie out vs. Cavaliers?

Head coach Jason Kidd will keep the same starting lineup on Wednesday night, but Jalen Brunson is likely to come out of the game a little earlier in the first and third quarters, so he can return to run the second unit. The Mavs will need to keep Luka Doncic or JB on the floor at all times.

Brunson must be the team’s number two scorer on March 30 too. Kidd will likely ride the hot hand in the closing lineup against the Cavaliers. Expect to see Doncic, JB, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Reggie Bullock on the floor with the fifth spot going to who is playing well.

Kidd will have to shorten the bench on Wednesday night. Josh Green, Maxi Kleber, and Davis Bertans all figure to play key roles for Dallas, but the Mavericks will be light on ball-handling and playmaking. Frank Ntilikina is questionable with an ankle sprain. If he’s healthy, coach Kidd could use him off the bench or recent ten-day hardship signee Brandon Knight may be called upon.

Can the Dallas Mavericks make it three straight wins as they look to keep climbing the standings? It will be no easy task on the second night of a back-to-back with Spencer Dinwiddie out, but Luka Doncic will be locked in and ready, so do not miss a second of the action.