After losing at home last night to the Indiana Pacers, the Dallas Mavericks are now 34-28.
It was a much-needed win for Dallas, which had lost four of its past five games. We have to find a way to find some consistency as the playoffs rapidly approach.
One of the Mavs' biggest struggles during this rough period has been their defense, and they have to get back to the elite defense they played right after acquiring Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington.
While some of Dallas' matchups may have led to improved defensive numbers, it was clear that the Mavs' defense during rough times was worse than it was when Gafford and Washington arrived in Dallas.
It will be a tough battle for the Mavs to earn a top-six seed, but nothing is impossible.
Here are five Dallas Mavericks players who must play better to improve their playoff chances.
Josh Green was a nightly starter for the Dallas Mavericks next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but he has really struggled of late.
Before last night's game against the Indiana Pacers, Green had scored in single digits in six of his previous eight games. That came after he scored in double digits in five straight games.
Green's inconsistency returned once again, an issue that plagued him throughout his career. He always seems to struggle to put together multiple good performances, but this should change by the playoffs.
The Mavs need him to be a difference-maker every night and make an impact in the starting lineup. He has been the weak link in the starting five as of late, and with Jason Kidd having no plans to mix this lineup up, Green must get back to being effective on both ends of the floor.
Even his defense has struggled lately, which is highly unusual for him.
