The Dallas Mavericks can’t assist themselves. The Mavericks fell flat regardless of enjoying an undermanned Toronto Raptors crew lacking a number of key gamers resulting from damage. They allowed the Raptors to seize the momentum and performed from behind for a lot of the sport.

It’s a narrative that’s performed out again and again this season for the Mavericks. And as soon as once more, Dallas allowed itself to be bested by a crew that confirmed extra combat and grit regardless of lacking Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, Treasured Achiuwa and Otto Porter Jr., dropping to Toronto, 105-100.

“We simply gotta keep collectively,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd informed reporters after the sport. “The group in that locker room—all of them play laborious; all of them wish to play. You’re not assured wins; you’ve obtained to play to get wins. So, we’ve obtained to remain collectively.

“Loads of us have been by way of this final 12 months. We’re not in a panic right here. We’ve obtained to begin persevering with to be constant on each ends of the ball if you wish to have success on this league.”

Kidd is correct about final 12 months. The Mavericks began the 2021-22 season poorly. They’ve virtually precisely replicated final season’s begin—poor capturing mixed with inconsistencies on each ends—once more this 12 months.

The Mavericks didn’t determine issues out till properly after Christmas final 12 months. Although the Vacation season is right here, that looks like a very long time for Dallas to proceed struggling. Compounding issues are all of the losses to groups lacking their finest gamers.

Toronto is simply the newest depleted roster to prime Dallas. The Mavericks have additionally dropped video games to the Denver Nuggets with out Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon; the Washington Wizards with out Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis; the Orlando Magic with out Paolo Banchero and the New Orleans Pelicans with out Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.

“Groups can play basketball, even when their finest participant is out,” Mavericks middle Maxi Kleber stated. “So, loads of credit score to Toronto. They’ve actually good gamers, however it’s positively on us.

“We’ve obtained to step up with the proper mindset and play the proper manner, particularly when groups have one in all their stars out. Loads of instances, they play much more bodily, more durable and also you’ve obtained to match the power.”

Dallas now sits at .500 with a document of 9-9. They’re presently outdoors of play-in seeding, wanting in on the time of this writing. There’s nonetheless loads of season left to play, however the Mavericks are a crew heading within the incorrect course. They should discover some momentum in the event that they hope to rebound.