The Dallas Mavericks have managed to eliminate the Los Angeles Clippers and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite being a five seed playing against a four seed, their success in this series has been noteworthy due to their strong defense, in addition to their potent offense led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
What sets the Mavericks apart is their impressive defensive performance, particularly in opponent rim accuracy where they rank first in the entire playoffs by a significant margin. This success on defense is a key factor in their playoff run and sets them apart from other teams that rely primarily on offensive firepower to win games.
Despite having a significant portion of their salary cap allocated to offensive players like Doncic and Irving, the Mavericks have managed to build a strong playoff defense through smart roster construction. They prioritized adding defensively-minded players in the 2023 offseason and made key acquisitions such as Dereck Lively II, Grant Williams, and Derrick Jones Jr.
The Mavericks were also active at the trade deadline, acquiring players like PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford to bolster their defense and add size to their roster. These moves, combined with a team-wide commitment to defense and creative coaching from head coach Jason Kidd, have helped improve their overall defensive performance.
Another factor contributing to the Mavericks’ defensive success is the change in officiating that allows players to be more physical on defense. This shift has benefited a team like Dallas, which boasts a lineup of defensive-first wings, forwards, and centers, without sacrificing their offensive production from players like Doncic and Irving.
Overall, the Mavericks have managed to build a great playoff defense on a budget by maximizing the features of defense that don’t count against the salary cap, such as effort and coaching, in addition to making strategic roster moves to add defensive talent. Their unique approach to building a successful playoff defense has set them apart in the postseason and will be key as they continue their playoff journey against the Thunder.
