Dallas Mavericks will struggle defensively without Kristaps Porzingis

Dallas Mavericks struggle without Kristaps Porzingis on the floor: 4. Too many switches

Dallas started the game with Maxi Kleber as the only big man on the court. Coach Carlisle did not use him and Marjanovic together because the Mavs had nobody else to play the five. That was fine as the Pacers were playing Myles Turner at the five, but small around him.

The Mavs ran into issues when they switched. It is not that Kleber cannot defend on the perimeter. He is an underrated option out there and does extremely well for a big. The Mavericks got taken to school inside by Turner. Here is an example of him backing down and scoring over Dorian Finney-Smith.

Turner was five of eight from the field in 24 minutes on Sunday. He missed twice with Kleber defending him. The other was a shot similar to the make above expect Turner did not have the touch. The Pacers big man also made a wide open 3-pointer and easy lay-in after the Mavs switched.

When Boban Marjanovic is on the floor, the Mavs cannot switch. He cannot guard on the perimeter. That leads directly into the next issue that plagued the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday against the Pacers.

Next: No. 3