3 discouraging takeaways from Dallas Mavericks loss to Pistons

Takeaway from Dallas Mavericks loss to Pistons: 2. Rebounding

The Mavs struggles on the glass have been well documented. They added Christian Wood and JaVale McGee this offseason to improve their rebounding, but McGee has fallen out of the rotation and Wood isn’t playing as much as fans have hoped. Dallas is currently last in rebounds per game and 29th in rebounding percentage.

Those woes returned on Thursday night as the Pistons outrebounded them 52 to 30, and Detroit got 13 offensive rebounds. In a close overtime loss, those extra possessions were the difference.

The Mavericks cannot afford to let the opposition get that many more chances, and expect to win. Detroit starts two big men, but they are 24th in rebound percentage coming into the game. It is not like the Pistons are the best rebounding team in the league, but they dominated the Mavericks on the glass on Thursday night.

There is no savior on the roster. McGee has been a strong rebounder for his career, but the 34-year-old has struggled in the Mavericks' defensive scheme. He cannot consistently play more than 15 minutes per game, which means the Dallas Mavericks need to add reinforcements if they want their rebounding to improve. Poor rebounding will cost the Mavs more games, and they must address it.