Dallas Mavericks need more from Kristaps Porzingis

Dallas Mavericks need Kristaps Porzingis to protect the rim

The LA Clippers are going to go small. It gives them their best chance to win the series. Playing five out takes Kristaps Porzingis out of the game to some degree. He is not taking advantage of mismatches on the offensive end of the floor. It also forces the 7’3 big man to defend on the perimeter where he struggles.

Porzingis is not protecting the rim when he has the chance, though. The Clippers were 20 of 28 in the restricted area in Game 3. Here Kawhi Leonard drives to the basket with KP waiting and gets an easy lay-in.

Porzingis struggled on the defensive end on Friday night. He got beat inside for scores on multiple occasions. The Dallas Mavericks need him to be more active on defense. KP has to protect the rim and grab rebounds when given the opportunity. Yes, he will be forced onto the perimeter in some instances, but when Porzingis is not, he has to get inside and deter LA inside.

The Dallas Mavericks need to be better on both ends of the floor on Sunday night. Game 4 will be pivotal. A Clippers win evens the series and gives them all the momentum as things shift back to Los Angeles. The Mavs have the opportunity to go up 3-1 and put LA on the brink of elimination in front of a rowdy home crowd. Fans will not want to miss it.