And why Raef LaFrentz is suddenly the Mavericks' most important factor of all.
As the Mavericks focus on defense as the biggest key in pulling them from the 1-1 tie in the best-of-7 series against the Kings, they routinely return to LaFrentz as the most significant player. When the Mavericks play good defense, LaFrentz is playing good defense. Or just playing at all.

"The key defensively is having Raef LaFrentz on the floor," Mavericks guard Greg Buckner said. "If he stays out of foul trouble, then we're a real good defensive team."

LaFrentz played 17 of his 28 minutes in Game 2 in the second half, the same span the Mavericks held the Kings to 28 percent shooting. The Mavericks haven't played such good defense for such a length of time since limiting the New York Knicks to 31 second-half points in January.