Caron Butler has been able to find some consistency with his jump shot recently after a rough stretch to end March. (AP Photo/Robert Durell)Things are finally starting to turn around in the right direction for the Mavericks' Caron Butler. After making only 11 of 36 shots (31 percent) during a four-game stretch from March 29 to April 3, in which he averaged only eight points a game - half of his 16 per game average this season. The final two games of that span, back-to-back losses at home to the Orlando Magic and Oklahoma Thunder, Butler scored only 11 total points and missed 15 of the 18 shots he attempted (20 percent).
But Butler has rebounded in a big way during the Mavericks current 3-game winning streak.
He's shot 53 percent during the run, making 21 of 40 attempts overall and 4-10 from 3-point range. While he only scored 12 points Saturday night in Sacramento, he was extremely efficient making 5-7 attempts, 2-2 from 3. Overall Butler has averaged 17.6 points in the past three games and has shown that he can be the consistent second-scorer Dallas needs, especially in the playoffs. Butler knows he has to keep up the good work in order for the Mavericks to come out on top in a fiercely competitive Western Conference.
"Seeing the seeding right now, guys are moving all around," Butler said. "The only thing we've got to do is just continue to consistent and play Dallas basketball."
Dallas is one full game ahead of both the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz for the second seed in the Western Conference and a game and a half ahead of the Phoenix Suns. Butler's resurgent play is a big reason Dallas sits in the driver's seat for that second slot.
"We need to win them all," Butler said. "It's time to be playing your best basketball going into the playoffs."
Mavericks won't do shit without him playing well going into the playoffs
ReplyDelete