In any Mavericks’ game, you can count the number of plays run for Dorian Finney-Smith on one hand.
One finger, maybe.
What the Mavericks need and expect from the sixth-year forward is not scoring, but hard-nosed energy and passion on the defensive end of the court.
That’s why he often is underrated and under-appreciated.
Not on Friday in San Antonio, however.
The 6-7 Finney-Smith had 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals in the 123-109 victory against San Antonio and there was no better play illuminating the Mavericks’ domination than when he stepped in front of a pass for a steal and broke free for a dunk.
That play came midway through the third quarter when the Mavericks were throwing a defensive vice-grip at the Spurs and running away to a 27-point lead.
Finney-Smith, the defensive pulse of the team, said it was a reflection on what happened two nights earlier in Chicago, when they were outscored by Chicago 34-26 in the third quarter and essentially blown out of the game.
“We got punched in the mouth in the third quarter,” Finney-Smith said of Wednesday’s game. “This game (against the Spurs), we wanted to learn from our mistakes and come out and hit them in the face first.”
It was a terrific bounce-back win. And one that also featured a rare offensive outburst by Finney-Smith. He hit 3-of-5 3-pointers and the 15 points were his season-best through 12 games.
And while numbers never tell the full story for the University of Florida product, he has hit 10-of-19 3-pointers in the last four games to pump up his percentage from an anemic level before this hot stretch.
“When you take your mind off the shooting, it kind of takes the pressure away,” he said. “I just wanted to play with a lot of energy and shoot the ball with confidence and worry about that last.
“Against the Bulls, it felt like we were a little flat. I took that upon myself and that’s one of the things I bring to the team. I just tried to be an energy-giver.”
The game script against the Spurs played right into Finney-Smith’s hands. Luka Dončić and Kristaps Porzingis were rolling. Both finished with 32 points. And when the Spurs committed to stopping one or the other, Finney-Smith had his moments of opportunity.
And his shot, which clearly is coming around, was working because of the attention Dončić and Porzingis were drawing.
“The ball movement, everybody was touching it,” Finney-Smith said. “We had 30 assists. It’s hard to beat us when we have 30 assists and five turnovers.
“When they double-team Luka, they are gonna have to leave somebody open and it’s usually me. And he’ll find you. So I just got to shoot the ball with confidence. We haven’t been shooting good as a team. But it’s coming.”
Finney-Smith, after talking offense, quickly followed up that comment with a commentary a little closer to his heart.
“We’ve been guarding, though,” he said.
And for that, the Mavericks can thank their defensive heartbeat, Finney-Smith.
Twitter: @ESefko
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