DALLAS -- OJ Mayo is in a slump. A real bad slump.
Over the past five games, the Dallas Mavericks' leading scorer had scored just 44 points, committed 24 turnovers, handed out 20 assists, grabbed 15 rebounds and accumulated 11 steals. He also is just 16-of-53 from the field, including only 3-of-21 from three-point range.
Coach Rick Carlisle spent some time this morning watching film with Mayo, with special attention on his plethora of turnovers.
"I think it's just important that he simplifies his approach in terms of attacking with the ball,'' Carlisle said. "He's just got to make sure that he's more efficient, he's more mindful of the fact that teams are committing two and three guys to him in a lot of situations, and instead of trying to attack those clusters of defensive players, be able to pick the ball up and make the right pass to cause a four-on-three or three-on-two on the other side of the floor.
"He can do it. He's certainly a capable guy and a guy that wants to do well and wants to help the team win. We've just got to help him make the adjustment.''
Mayo, of course, is not used to being the No. 1 scoring option since he arrived in the NBA four years ago. Heck, he wasn't even in the starting lineup the past two seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies.
"This is part of the adjustment to becoming a premier scorer on a team -- you're going to get that kind of attention,'' Carlisle said. "This period has been tough, but he's learning things and he's going to get better.''
-- Dwain Price
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