The Dallas Mavericks are not having the season that anyone thought.
After making it to the conference finals last year, the Mavericks at worst were expected to be a playoff team again this season.
But, with only two games left in the season, the Mavs are not even in play-in position.
After starting the year slowly, Dallas traded for All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline.
He and Luka Doncic formed an elite one-two punch and many thought they would turn the Mavs’ season around.
That has not been the case.
Part of the reason is that Doncic and Irving have missed a bunch of games.
But winning has not come easy even when they are on the floor together.
Dallas has a record of 5-11 when Doncic and Irving both play.
That is especially surprising because the two of them are scoring the ball at a high level.
Doncic has been the best first-quarter scorer in the NBA this season, while Irving has been the best in the fourth.
Luka Doncic has the most points in the 1st quarter this season.
Kyrie Irving has the most points in the 4th quarter this season. pic.twitter.com/EDC1uujg7u
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 6, 2023
The offense is not the issue for this team when they are on the floor.
But, being able to get stops has been one thing that has held the Mavs back.
Dallas has two games left in the regular season and they are currently the 11th seed in the Western Conference.
Winning out seems like the only way the Mavs can sneak into the last play-in spot.
That will at least give them a chance to keep their season alive.
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