What started as a whim for Rick Carlisle has become a pretty reliable offensive strategy, as guards Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and J.J. Barea have been on the floor at crunch time the last four games.
Three of those games were wins. And Tuesday's double-overtime loss to San Antonio wasn't an indictment of the small-ball lineup. When the 5-11 Barea is guarded by Spurs defensive whiz Bruce Bowen, you know opponents are taking it seriously. Carlisle is simply taking advantage of his best playmakers.
"Coming into the season, we probably weren't looking at that as an everyday lineup," he said. "But when things are effective, you stick with them. We've needed that combination on the floor of quickness, playmaking, shot-making and grittiness.
"I'm a believer in playing big and having size. But right now, we got to find whatever works and roll with it."
Most teams have small lineups they go to in certain situations. But most elite teams use them judiciously, preferring to go big whenever possible. Carlisle went to his small lineup against the Clippers last week without having used it in practice.
"The coach took a chance and it worked," Barea said. "I'm not surprised. Jet [Terry] is one of the best combo guards out there. And J. Kidd can play every position and he doesn't need to shoot to be good.
"Me and JT creating and attacking the paint, that's something we need as a team. It's hard for the other team to match up against us. And J. Kidd can guard anybody."
Good company: Dirk Nowitzki has four 35-plus-point games this season, joining an elite crowd.
Only Dwyane Wade, with seven, has more 35-point games than Nowitzki, according to the Mavericks' research. LeBron James has four and Chris Bosh has three. Devin Harris and Kevin Durant are among those with two.
Mavericks SCHEDULE
DECEMBER
Day Date Opponent TV Time
Thu. 11 Charlotte FSSW 7:30
Sat. 13 Oklahoma City Ch. 21 7:30
Mon. 15 Denver FSSW 7:30
Wed. 17 at Toronto FSSW 6:00
Fri. 19 at New Jersey Ch. 21 6:30
Sun. 21 at Washington FSSW 5:00
Tue. 23 Memphis FSSW 7:30
Thu. 25 at Portland TNT 9:30
Fri. 26 at Utah Ch. 21 8:00
Sun. 28 at LA Clippers FSSW 2:30
Tue. 30 Minnesota FSSW 7:30
JANUARY
Day Date Opponent TV Time
Fri. 2 Philadelphia FSSW 7:30
Sun. 4 at Memphis FSSW 3:00
Tue. 6 LA Clippers FSSW 7:30
Thu. 8 New York FSSW 7:30
