Spencer Dinwiddie is the key to the Mavericks playoff success

The Dallas Mavericks made the surprising decision to trade Kristaps Porzingis just before the deadline. They discussed a deal with the Raptors before trading KP and protected second-round pick to Washington for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. Fans were shocked, and the return seemed light given the struggles of both Dinwiddie and Bertans in Washington.

The Mavs have won five of seven since making the deal, and they have four wins in five games with Dinwiddie in the lineup. The 6’5 guard has caught fire since joining the Mavericks as he averaged 14.0 points on 59.6 percent shooting from the field in just 27.0 minutes per game. His scoring and playmaking abilities have been impressive off the bench as Dallas has outscored the opposition by 30 points in his 135.2 minutes.

Dinwiddie is providing a spark, and he fills a hole in their roster. The Mavs defensive improvements are real, but they needed another creator to take the pressure off Luka Doncic. Dinwiddie is doing it and making Dallas impossible to stop. Here is a closer look at why the newest Mavericks guard is the key to the team’s playoff success.

Why Spencer Dinwiddie is the key to the Dallas Mavericks playoff success

Fans know Luka Doncic is going to play his best basketball in the postseason. He averages 33.5 points, 9.5 assists, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals on 49.4 percent shooting from the field and 39.2 percent on his threes through 13 career playoff games. The Clippers could not slow him down in either series, but the Mavs relied so heavily on Luka that the superstar wore down late in games.

Dallas targeted a ball-handler and playmaker in return for Kristaps Porzingis to help ease that burden. Here are three reasons why Spencer Dinwiddie is key to the Mavericks playoff success.