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Dallas Mavericks: Offense Clicking At The Right Time

By Danny Webster

Mar 16, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrates after scoring during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrates after scoring during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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So much for Rajon Rondo being the reason why the Dallas Mavericks‘ offense has been terrible as of late.

As a matter of fact, he’s been the reason why it’s been clicking.

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The Mavericks erupted for 119 points in a four-point win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night. This was only two days after Dallas shellacked the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring 129 points.

In two much-needed wins against top-eight teams in the Western Conference, Dallas’ offense is back to pre-Rondo form.

You can attribute Dallas’ offensive revival to a plethora of reasons. Whether it be that Dallas is getting quality production from Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis, or that Chandler Parsons‘ return to the lineup and his stellar offensive production is giving Dallas a chance to believe that it can do anything.

Or maybe, just maybe, Rondo looks right at home in Dallas’ offense, now having a solid grasp on playcalling duties.

From ESPN Dallas‘ Tim MacMahon:

“We’re on a good path,” coach Rick Carlisle told ESPNDallas.com in his office after Monday’s thrilling 119-115 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. “We’ve just got to continue to work. He and I are spending a lot of time together working on our offense. He wants to be the quarterback, which is great.

“The thing is I want to make sure he’s keeping pace in the game, because he has the ability to keep pace in the game and to mix in play-calling, not just call plays every time. He’s getting really good with the play-calling, but our mission is to defend and rebound better, keep pace in the game and then run the right stuff. He’s doing a great job.”

Rondo attributed his great offensive play to the Mavericks getting the ball to him faster on the break. Getting Rondo on the run with the ability to attack the basket or find open teammates has allowed him to survey the floor and pick his spots.

This is the Rondo the Mavericks have been hoping for, especially the one that recorded 11 points and 13 assists Monday night in Dallas’ win over the Thunder. Rondo came out of the starting block blazing, recording seven assists in the first quarter before picking up two fouls.

“I’ve earned these guys’ confidence,” Rondo said, “knowing they’re going to get the ball back.”

Rondo’s sudden revival wouldn’t be what it is, though, without Parsons shooting the lights out. He recorded a game-high 31 points on 10-of-14 shooting, 3-of-5 from 3-point range and 8-of-9 from the free throw line.

It was another complete offensive performance for Parsons, who appears to slowly be taking that No. 1 option role with an iron fist.

Parsons has averaged 23.6 points per game, shot 66 percent from the floor and made 11-of-15 3-pointers in his last three games. Not only is he doing damage by way of shooting from long range, but that shooting threat creates attacking lanes to the basket.

Plays like this that can change the outcome of a game when the Mavericks desperately need it.

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    • Dallas has averaged 116 points per game in the three wins since Parsons returned from his sprained ankle. In the last two games, the Mavericks have averaged 124 points per game, looking much like the offense that could cure world hunger earlier in the season.

    The last two wins Dallas has gotten can’t be overlooked, knowing the Clippers were without Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford, while Oklahoma City was missing Kevin Durant.

    But the major difference for Dallas over the last two games is that the Mavericks have found ways to win against teams they need to beat. Taking advantage of banged-up teams haven’t been Dallas’ strong suit.

    Dallas got two wins against two top-eight teams in the Western Conference, and now find itself back in fifth of the Western Conference with 14 games to go, and a crucial stretch of games coming up.

    That’s all that matters for the Mavericks at this point. But it might not be time to say it cures world hunger. Let’s say it helps the common cold, like the one I have right now.

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