The key for the Mavericks to beat the Clippers will be revealed in Game 1

The Dallas Mavericks entered the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the league. The team finished the season with five wins out of their last seven games. Dallas also finished with a combined record of 16-6 in March and April.

The main difference was the addition of PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. Washington helped revitalize the Mavs' defense and became the team's starting power forward. In April, he averaged 1.9 steals and 1 block. Washington had his best game three weeks ago against the Golden State Warriors, posting 32 points, five steals, and two blocks.

Gafford is also a threat on the defensive end. He averaged 11.2 points, 1.9 blocks, and 6.9 rebounds per game in 29 games with Dallas. Gafford wasn't afraid to use his body against other scorers and was a great rim protector for Dallas.

Dante Exum also became a mainstay in the Mavs' rotation, along with Washington and Gafford. He became the only guy who wasn't afraid to take the team's last shot. Exum helped Dallas beat the Sacramento Kings last month with a late 3-pointer. Two days later, he hit the game-tying hit and helped the Mavs defeat the Houston Rockets in overtime.

Exum made 59.3 percent of his 3-point attempts last month.

However, many of the Mavs players mentioned above were unable to reward their success, losing 109-97 in Game 1 of the playoffs. Everyone outside of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving struggled to get anything done.

The Mavericks scored a total of 97 points against the LA Clippers on Sunday. Doncic and Irving combined for 64 points, and the rest had 33 points.

Starter Derrick Jones Jr. went 0-4 in 18 minutes. Gafford, the team's field goal leader, also struggled with 1-4 field goals. Washington was the team's third leading scorer with 11 points. However, it wasn't their best game, going just 2-7 from the 3-point line.

The Dallas bench also struggled. The Mavs' non-starters combined for 19 points. Tim Hardaway Jr. came off the bench and was the leading scorer with six points. Maxi Kleber was another player who struggled. They went 0-3 from the 3-point line.

If Dallas wants to bounce back on Tuesday, everyone other than Doncic and Irving will need to step up. For example, look at what the Clippers did without Kawhi Leonard. Five players scored in double digits. Three of the players scored 20 points or more.

The Boston Celtics are another prime example of how important role players are. Everyone except Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown scored 74 points for Boston.

This is what separates candidates from non-candidates.

If the Dallas Mavericks want to make the playoffs, they will need to find an additional third or fourth scorer. The Mavs had five players averaging 10 points or more during the regular season. So it's up to the rest of Dallas' team to provide help to Doncic and Irving.

If players like Washington and Hardaway Jr. find their shot, things will become a lot easier for Dallas.

Mavs fans can only hope things get better in Game 2.

Stay tuned for the latest on the Dallas Mavericks and their quest for their second championship.