Mavericks' paint defense has become a glaring weakness

Over the first 12 games for the Dallas Mavericks, their overall defense has been spotty, but there have been clear-cut struggles in the paint. The Mavs are 1-4 when allowing opponents to score more than 50 percent of their points in the paint, but are 6-2 when holding them to under 46 percent.

Mavericks' paint defense can't compete with the best

At first, it might sound like a decent enough margin that some extra focus or hustle from guys like Daniel Gafford or Morez Johnson Jr. can keep it under that threshold with their size and rim protection. However, when comparing those numbers to some of the top teams in the league, there is a lot more work that needs to be done.

The Boston Celtics, who are currently leading the Eastern Conference, have zero games allowing their opponents to score 46 percent or more of their points in the paint, and in 11 of their 12 games, they've kept it at 37.5 percent or lower. The Los Angeles Lakers, the second-best team in the West, only have one game with opponents scoring above 50 percent of their points in the paint and have held opponents to under 40 percent in nine games.

Even though the Mavericks are still a rebuilding team and a ways away from competing for a top seed, to be the best, you have to beat the best. And fixing the paint defense is a big step towards that goal.

Dallas allowing opponents to score that many of their points in the paint makes it so much harder to win games. The closer players are to the rim, the easier it is to score, by nature. So if Gafford and Rez can't influence paint shots enough, there needs to be a bigger presence in the paint that can bring those percentages down, more in line with the elite teams.

Dereck Lively II could be the missing piece to fixing the defense

Gafford isn't bad by any means, and Morez's toughness and athleticism can make up for a lot, but neither of them brings the complete package that Lively can bring to this defense.

One of the biggest ways to let opponents score in the paint is to let them get second-chance looks and offensive rebounds. The Mavs are ranked 12th in offensive rebounds given up and 22nd in defensive rebounds per game. Lively's elite rebounding skills and length, compared to Gafford, can help tremendously on the glass and, in turn, in the paint by limiting those opportunities.

Blocking shots at the rim is the last order of operations when it comes to defending the paint, so having a player who can run the floor or get to a spot to make a play on the ball becomes integral. Rez was doing this all in college, but has only shown some flashes in his rookie year in the NBA. Lively has already shown he can do that in the league with his athleticism and underrated mobility for a 7-footer.

When Lively returns, his mobility, size, and athleticism are going to make a huge impact around the rim. He'll make opponents second-guess on drives and force more kick-outs for a much lower chance of scoring. He'll grab and secure loose balls at the rim, limiting chances for opponents to win the possession battle, resulting in fewer shot attempts.

Dereck Lively II's potential impact can not be understated, and now it's just a matter of when, not how, he can be the solution for the Mavericks as he works his way back from a foot injury.

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