Aussie Exum gets on his bike

Dante Exum will be starting for Dallas in today’s Christmas clash with Phoenix, regardless of whether star guard Kyrie Irving is passed fit to play.

The Australian has proved a hit for the Mavericks since being upgraded to starter when Irving (heel) became sidelined on December 8.

Teaming with superstar Luka Doncic, Exum has averaged 16.6 points as the team, tipped to be a major contender out west, has gone 6-3.

“What he’s done is put himself as a starter, and we’ll keep him as a starter,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said of Exum.

“If we’re healthy tomorrow, he’s going to start with Kai (Irving) and Luka.”

Among the core philosophies of deploying Exum alongside Doncic and Irving is to maximise the number of threats that can make plays.

“That ingredient of having three playmakers makes the game easier for Kai and Luka and puts a lot of pressure on their defence,” Kidd said. “To have Exum out there, it helps.”

Exum has often excelled at pushing the pace for the Mavs.

“Yeah, I think one of the things we’ve been saying from the start of the season, since training camp, is we want to play faster,” Exum said. The Mavericks are one of the happiest teams and Doncic is a big factor. After their game on Sunday, the locker room was filled with Mercedes-EQ electric bicycles for every player, coach and support-staff member – Christmas gifts from Luka Doncic valued at around $5000 each. “You walk in and there’s just bikes lined up,” guard Dante Exum said. “It’s a great gift, and it’s love. Christmas, just that joy of seeing everyone happy. ”