Dallas Mavericks: Three Keys For The Home Stretch

The Dallas Mavericks are running out of time to figure it out. With only 15 games left in the regular season, it’s time for the Mavericks to show themselves and the rest of the NBA that they are capable of making a deep run in the NBA playoffs.

Dallas is just 6-6 in the 12 games that have taken place since the All-Star break. Teams that contend for championships and make noise in the NBA playoffs aren’t the teams that limp in playing .500 basketball.

Rebounding

This has been an issue all season for the Mavericks, as they rank dead last in rebounding percentage according to ESPN.

While they will need an offseason to fully address this issue, they can do better than worst in the NBA on the glass. There is no quick fix that could turn Dallas into a good rebounding team, but a concentrated effort by each player that hits the court would be a start.

Mar 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) in the second quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Rebounding is not just about talent and being bigger than the person you are battling against. Rebounding often comes down to hustle, desire and grit. The Mavericks don’t have to become a great rebounding team to contend, but they cannot afford to the continue being one of the worse rebounding teams in the NBA.

Focus

This has been a surprising problem for a veteran-laden team that was supposed to be hungry for a championship. There have been too many games that this Dallas team has shown up thinking they could win by simply stepping on the court.

Feb 7, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) celebrates during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Trail Blazers 111-101 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Home losses against the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers could prove costly when playoff seeding is determined. The Mavericks have struggled against winning teams all season, and they must take care of business against teams that will likely be watching the NBA postseason from their couch.

While the previously mentioned victory against the Los Angeles Clippers was encouraging, where has that level of effort, focus and continuity been? As the season winds down, each and every game matter and for Dallas to live up to their potential, they have to play like it.

Rotation Adjustments

Rick Carlisle has never been shy about altering his lineup in the playoffs. In 2011 he surprised the Miami Heat by inserting diminutive guard J.J. Barea into the starting lineup in Game 4. Three games later the Mavericks were hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy for the first time after upsetting the Miami Heat in six games.

This season Carlisle may not have the luxury of waiting until the post season to make adjustments to his rotation. The most obvious change that Carlisle should make to his rotation is to limit the amount of minutes that point guard Rajon Rondo is on the court.

Mar 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

According to Hoopsstats.com, Rondo ranks No. 39 in point guard efficiency since the All-Star break. Rondo is behind not-so-household names like Ish Smith, C.J. Watson, Ronnie Price and Ray McCallum. It’s time Rondo is used more selectively for the sake of the entire team.

If Rondo has a problem putting the team first, then the Mavericks’ decision on whether to bring him back after this season becomes one that will be easy to make.

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