Mavericks Finding Their Groove as 76ers Face Uphill Battle
The Dallas Mavericks are starting to look like a team turning the corner. After a rocky start to the season, things are beginning to click - and it’s not just one player stepping up.
Cooper Flagg is improving with each game, Andrew Nembhard is showing he’s more than capable of running the offense as a starting-caliber point guard, and with Anthony Davis back in the mix, the frontcourt finally has some breathing room. Daniel Gafford no longer has to carry the entire load at center, and that’s paying dividends on both ends of the floor.
On the other side, the Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in a familiar spot: loaded with talent, but hampered by injuries. Joel Embiid is dealing with both an illness and a lingering knee issue, making him doubtful for the matchup with Dallas. Kelly Oubre is also sidelined, and with the Sixers coming off a game against the Knicks - the first leg of a back-to-back - their depth will be tested in a big way.
Mavericks in Attack Mode
One of the biggest shifts in Dallas’ recent play has been their commitment to attacking the paint. Over the last 10 games, the Mavs rank seventh in drives per game - a significant uptick from earlier in the season when they seemed content to live and die by the perimeter.
That change in mentality is showing up in the numbers. Dallas is shooting 51.3% from five to nine feet - fifth-best in the league this season. Players like Flagg, Davis, and Nembhard are putting pressure on defenses by getting downhill and finishing at the rim, and that’s opening up the floor for everyone else.
It’s not just about field goal percentage either. The aggressive mindset is earning them trips to the free-throw line - a crucial factor in close games.
Just look at their recent win over Detroit: Dallas went to the line 36 times, converting 31 of them (86%). Compare that to Detroit’s 20 attempts, and you can see how that margin becomes the difference in an overtime game.
The Maxey Challenge
With Embiid likely out, the 76ers will lean even harder on Tyrese Maxey - and he’s been up to the task all season. Maxey leads the team in points (31.5), assists (7.2), and steals (1.7), and he’s been a consistent engine for Philadelphia’s offense.
But with the Sixers down multiple starters and on the second night of a back-to-back, the load Maxey will have to carry becomes even heavier. Paul George, now 35, remains a threat to go off on any given night, but expecting him to shoulder a major offensive burden in this scenario might be asking a lot.
For Dallas, the defensive game plan is clear: contain Maxey, and you put the Sixers in a tough spot. Unlike Philly, the Mavericks don’t rely on one or two guys to carry the scoring load. They’ve got eight players averaging double figures, and while none are putting up 20+ per night, that kind of balance makes them tough to scheme against.
Eastern Conference Success
Dallas heads into Philadelphia having won five of their last seven, including a statement win over the East’s top team. They’ve already taken down the Raptors and Heat - two playoff-caliber squads - and gave the Knicks all they could handle in a narrow two-point loss that needed a furious New York comeback to seal.
In contrast, their record against the West has been more uneven, though recent wins over Denver and Houston suggest they’re finding their footing. Still, it’s hard to ignore how well Dallas has matched up against Eastern Conference opponents this season.
The 76ers currently sit fifth in the East, but with their roster thinned and Dallas surging, this could be another Eastern victory for the Mavs. The statuses of Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson remain question marks, but if Dallas rolls into Philly anywhere near full strength, they’ll be in prime position to keep their momentum rolling.
It’s not quite playoff time, but the Mavericks are starting to look like a team that’s already gearing up for it. And if this is the version of Dallas we’re getting heading into the new year, the rest of the league - East and West - better take notice.