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

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.