2016 NBA Playoffs: Each Team's Week 1 MVP

2016 NBA Playoffs: Each Team’s Week 1 MVP

April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 13, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrates making a three point basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki

If it weren’t for a 2-for-10 dud in Game 1, you could make a serious argument for Raymond Felton here. But for his consistency and his team-high scoring of 17.0 points per game, we’ve got to give this award to Dirk Nowitzki. Because really, where would Rick Carlisle and the Dallas Mavericks be without him this season?

DAL hasn't been able to score, period, but: Dirk on court: 94 points/100 possessions. On bench: (gulp) 78. Adjustment for Rick: Clone Dirk!
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) April 22, 2016

On the series, Dirk is shooting 45.7 percent from the field, but he’s made just one of his four three-point attempts — an alarmingly low number of attempts through three games for a player who was taking 4.6 threes per game during the regular season.

His rebounding is also down to 4.6 rebounds per game up against OKC’s more athletic rebounders, and it’s a tad concerning that in Dallas’ lone win, Nowitzki went 7-for-19 from the field. But if the Mavs are going to take another game in this series, Dirk’s going to have to unleash a vintage performance of some sort.

Next: Miami Heat