5 big concerns for Dallas Mavericks come playoff time

3. Dallas Mavericks cannot protect the rim

The Mavs struggled to rebound and protect the rim in the 2022 playoffs. Head coach Jason Kidd played small and searched for mismatches. Dallas ran a five-out offense that allowed Luka Doncic to feast in the postseason, but it hurt the team’s ability to rebound and protect the rim.

The Mavericks signed JaVale McGee to be their starting center and solve some of those issues, but it has not worked out. McGee quickly fell out of the rotation, and he has been unable to make an impact.

Dallas has not had a rim protector since making the Kyrie Irving trade. Maxi Kleber is the team’s best rim deterrent, but he has played in just three games as he works his way back from hamstring surgery. The 6’10 big man figures to play the majority of the minutes at the five if he is healthy in the playoffs, but he alone will not be able to stop the opposition.

Christian Wood leads the team with 1.1 blocks per game, but it has been a layup line at the rim whenever he is in the game. Can the Mavs score enough to keep C-Wood on the floor in the playoffs?

The Dallas Mavericks should be concerned about their rim protection in the postseason. Games will tighten up and every bucket will matter. Dallas cannot allow the opposition to score 120 every night or it will be a quick exit.