Just over a week ago, the Mavs appeared buoyed by the shock of two deadline trades, winning seven straight games, losing half of their games in the top five.
Now, after Sunday's blowout 120-116 loss to the 76ers at American Airlines Center, they have lost four of five games and find themselves back in the scrum for a play-in bid.
How on earth did this happen?
“When we score, we're one of the best teams in the league,” Jason Kidd said.
“And when we don't score, we're one of the worst teams.”
What's interesting is that Kidd wasn't really saying the Mavs needed to score more, unless this was his job. Of course that's a good thing. Even a team with as much firepower as the Mavs, where Luka Doncic recorded a 38-point triple-double on Sunday and Kyrie Irving followed suit with 28 points, they could always use more offense. I can do it. More specifically, you can use his reliable third option.
And maybe if Nico Harrison had gotten the player he really wanted at the trade deadline, Kidd wouldn't have to be so mysterious.
What he meant was that if the Mavs don't get shots, their energy level will drop. And without energy, there is no defense.
Otherwise, it's hard to explain how they were able to blow an 11-0 opening run against a team that had lost four of its past six games and six of its past 10. The Sixers are still pretty good without Joel Embiid, but it means a lot for Tyrese Maxey, who usually scores in South Garland, who scored 24 points in his return to his hometown on Sunday. 76ers coach Nick Nurse would have said before the game that Maxey's 15 shots weren't enough. When Maxey hit 33 shots recently, he wanted more.
But there was no need to monopolize Sunday. When Maxey didn't give the Mavs much power, either Tobias Harris, who scored 28 points, or Kelly Oubre Jr., who scored 21 points, filled the gap.
It wasn't until the 40-point fourth quarter, when the Mavs cut an 18-point deficit to three points in the closing minutes, that the home team seemed to understand the problem.
So was it physical or mental?
“I think it’s a little bit of both,” Luka said. “The energy has to be from the first minute, the first second of the game.”
Luka didn't buy into the theory that they might just be tired or still reeling from the stone-throwing and praying in a winless Cleveland game. The only thing we know for sure is that Luka isn't the problem, and Irving isn't the problem either.
There's plenty of room for everyone else to consider as well.
Remember when the Mavs looked like a different team at the deadline after acquiring P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford? Critics wondered about the wisdom of spending so much draft money? Although they had their doubts, they agreed that things were better now. Achieve deeper and better defense. The lineup looks like it could be big or small.
Gafford in particular was a revelation. In his first two games, he posted points and rebounds commensurate with his playing time. Combined with Derek Lively II, the Mavs suddenly have two centers that will make you forget the farce of Christian Wood and JaVale McGee.
Next thing you know, Gafford's minutes are all over the place. Entering Sunday, he had played seven, 25 and six minutes in his previous three games. When I asked Kidd before the game if the matchup would dictate Gafford's playing time, he didn't say anything.
“If you play well, you can play,” he said.
For the record, Gafford didn't play well Sunday. Neither was Lively. Between the two, he had seven rebounds in 31 minutes. Gafford was minus-11. Lively, minus 7.
Gafford has been stuck in this kind of rut throughout his career. Lively is still new. Still, you'd think Kidd could find a way for the Mavs to take advantage of a team that started Mo Bamba in the middle instead of the reigning MVP.
But on Sunday, the impression I got from one building throughout this 1-on-4 stretch is that the problem isn't with the defense or center, it's a long-standing issue with a diverse cast of characters.
Who will score if Luka and Irving don't?
Tim Hardaway Jr. continued a long trend by making just 1 of 8 shots against the Sixers.
“Everyone knows Timmy can't hit the ball well,” Kidd said. “But we believe in him and I'm sure he'll come out of it.”
The point is, Kidd has no choice but to trust Hardaway. Because even though he hasn't done well so far, he's a proven scorer. P.J. Washington scored 13 points on Sunday, but while he has regained his form by making only 1 of 7 3s, he is not a scorer. So did Josh Green, who scored seven points. Do you know who is the scorer? Kyle Kuzma. The Mavs also thought they could acquire him before the deadline. Except when the Wizards gave him a say in the contract, he turned it down to stay with a bad team.
Frankly, I don't know if that decision is bad for Kuzma or bad for the Mavs. But what happened at AAC on Sunday was certainly not good. And Tuesday's game against the Pacers and Thursday's game against the Heat might not be any better. Oh, where did February go?
Twitter/X: @KsherringtonDMN
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