Spencer Dinwiddie is the key to Dallas Mavericks defeating Utah Jazz in playoffs

The Dallas Mavericks left Salt Lake City on Saturday evening with their first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz tied at two games apiece. Before the season, if you would have told Mavs head coach Jason Kidd that his team would have homecourt and the series could be tied at two after Luka Doncic missed the first three games, he would take it, but Dallas let one slip away in Game 4.

The Mavericks had a chance to land the knockout blow by going up 3-1 in the series with two wins in Utah, but they could not find their shots on Saturday afternoon. Save for a hot third quarter, Dallas connected on just 32.2 percent from the field and 20.6 percent on their threes. They also committed 29 fouls, which sent the Jazz to the free-throw line 42 times. It was a poor recipe for success in Luka’s return, and the Mavs still only lost by one.

The Mavs and Jazz are now facing a best two out of three to see who advances to the second round and gets a likely date with the top-seeded Suns. Doncic showed no rust and will be elite. There are no questions about the contributions Dallas will receive from Jalen Brunson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Reggie Bullock, but their bench is the key to winning the series. They need Maxi Kleber and Spencer Dinwiddie producing to advance.

Spencer Dinwiddie is the key to Dallas Mavericks defeating the Utah Jazz in the playoffs

Kleber plays an important role because he can defend Rudy Gobert and space the floor. The 6’10 forward fouling out in just 18 minutes hurt the Mavs in Game 4, especially when he was not available for nearly all of the clutch minutes on Saturday afternoon. Dallas needs Kleber to step up moving forward, but Dinwiddie will determine which team wins the series.

The 6’5 guard had a rough showing in Game 4. He was two of nine from the field and scored just five points in 24 minutes of action. The Jazz dominated his time on the floor, and Dinwiddie missed the game-winning shot as time expired.

Here are three reasons why Spencer Dinwiddie is the key to the Dallas Mavericks defeating the Utah Jazz and advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Why Spencer Dinwiddie is key to Dallas Mavericks defeating Jazz: 3. Shotmaker

Dinwiddie is the team’s second-leading scorer through their first four playoff games, and he was the Mavs' third-leading scorer since being acquired from the Wizards in the Kristaps Porzingis deadline day trade. Few expected him to have a massive impact in Dallas, but he immediately proved he could thrive in the right role.

The Mavericks need him scoring 15 per game if they want to make a deep playoff run. He had 17 or more in each of the first three games without Luka before dipping to just five in Game 4. Dinwiddie could not find his jumper on Saturday afternoon. Dallas needs to give him the ball and trust that he will find open looks.

Dinwiddie struggled to finish inside in Game 4, and he just did not have it in his first contest coming off the bench in the series. Utah dominated the bench points 35 to 13, and it was the difference in a tight postseason battle.

The Dallas Mavericks need to get Spencer Dinwiddie an easy shot at the rim after he checks into Game 5. The 6’5 guard is an important scorer that will get plenty of jumpers playing off Luka Doncic. He cannot just score five points per game if Dallas wants to win this series, and the Mavericks will need him to make clutch looks in any close contests.

Why Spencer Dinwiddie is key to Dallas Mavericks defeating Jazz: 2. Leading the bench

With Luka Doncic back in the lineup, Dinwiddie becomes the Mavericks' sixth man. Head coach Jason Kidd played his superstar in shorter bursts in his first game back to avoid fatigue after missing nearly two weeks because of a calf strain. It left plenty of opportunities for Dinwiddie to shine in Game 4, but it was Utah's sixth man Jordan Clarkson that stole the show with 25 points.

Dinwiddie played just 24 minutes on April 23, and the Mavs were outscored by 14 points in that time. The 6’5 guard will share the backcourt with both Doncic and Jalen Brunson, but head coach Jason Kidd will not play his three guards together often. Dinwiddie is the key to the Mavericks staying afloat when one of their leading scorers needs a rest, but he did not deliver in Game 4.

The Mavericks lost in the first round of the playoffs in 2021 to the LA Clippers in seven games. They outscored LA by seven in 281 minutes with Luka on the floor in the series but were outscored by 43 in the 55 minutes he spent on the bench.

Dallas needed another ball handler to fix that issue, so they brought in Dinwiddie. He failed to deliver in Game 4 but will be key in helping the Mavericks win this series against the Jazz.

Why Spencer Dinwiddie is key to Dallas Mavericks defeating Jazz: 1. Secondary ball-handler

Dinwiddie gives the Mavs options and should help keep their offense rolling, but the team scored just 44 points in the 24 minutes he played in Game 4. That is an 88-point per game pace, and Dallas had an offensive rating of just 97.6 when the 29-year-old was on the floor.

Dinwiddie must be more aggressive moving forward. He needs to get into the paint and start creating offense. If Luka Doncic or Jalen Brunson kicks him the ball off a drive, Dinwiddie needs to fire away. Most of his shots in Game 4 came off late clock desperation attempts. They need Dinwiddie making plays if they want to defeat the Jazz.

Spencer Dinwiddie must play better defense too. The Mavs had a defensive rating of 131.0 when he was on the floor in Game 4. Yes, Utah just got hot when Dinwiddie came into the game, but the 6’5 guard needs to increase his effort and intensity on that end.

The Dallas Mavericks are not going to win this series without getting a larger contribution from Spencer Dinwiddie. Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson are going to shine, but they need a third-scorer and playmaker to defeat the Utah Jazz. Dinwiddie fits the description, and he needs to fill that role moving forward.