Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd implements surprising alterations to the starting lineup.
Before their victory against the Miami Heat last night, the Dallas Mavericks had suffered defeats in five out of their previous six games. Their latest loss came against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, where their defense continued to struggle. Following the Indiana game, some fans were calling for head coach Jason Kidd’s dismissal, and the atmosphere surrounding the team was less than positive.
However, the dynamics changed significantly with last night’s game.
The win over Miami on Thursday night marked a significant improvement, particularly in the first quarter where Dallas’ defense showed considerable improvement. Holding the Heat to under 110 points, Dante Exum and Dereck Lively II’s defensive contributions were especially noteworthy towards the end of the game. Both players injected energy into the Mavericks when it was needed most, emphasizing the importance of better defensive performance for Dallas to become genuine contenders in the Western Conference.
Although most Mavericks fans may recall the standout performances of Exum and the team’s improved defense, Kidd made a significant adjustment to the starting lineup that could have implications going forward.
Prior to the game, Kevin Gray Jr. of 97.1 The Freak reported that a Mavericks source assured that the team wasn’t overly concerned about their defensive struggles and believed they could rectify the situation. However, they noted that Dereck Lively II hadn’t fully recovered defensively from injury and might be facing rookie challenges.
Subsequently, Kidd made wholesale changes to the starting lineup.
The revised lineup featured Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford. This was a departure from Kidd’s usual starting lineup and may signal a strategic shift going forward, reflecting Kidd’s willingness to adapt following their previous game against the Pacers.
The new lineup saw Green and Lively II relegated to the bench, a decision that caught many by surprise. However, both players had experienced a decline in productivity recently. Lively II, in particular, has faced early foul trouble in games, and starting Gafford may provide a better balance for both players. Gafford’s ability to set the tone early in games could complement Lively II’s role coming off the bench.
While Lively II remains a crucial component for the Mavericks, his tenure as the starting center may be in jeopardy if Kidd continues with the lineup from last night.
For the latest updates on Jason Kidd, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.
