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Mavericks miss rookie Dereck Lively II, loss to Clippers showed just how much

Dallas was outscored 60-38 in the paint during Wednesday’s loss to LA.

American Airlines Center was rocking.

A 3-pointer from Tim Hardaway Jr. had given the Mavericks a one-point lead with five minutes left after trailing by as many as 22 against the Clippers on Wednesday night. But about a minute later, Los Angeles star Kawhi Leonard threw down an alley-oop from Terance Mann, quieting the crowd.

It was too easy. Same goes for the rest of a 16-6 Clippers run to close the game. Whenever the Dallas crowd got back on its feet, Los Angeles answered with layups.

Leonard passed around three defenders for an assist to Norman Powell, who finished, flexed and made his free throw after being fouled by Dante Exum. Leonard had an uncontested dunk on the next possession.

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And after Luka Doncic missed a critical pair of free throws with 1:40 remaining, Leonard Euro-stepped between Grant Williams and Doncic to send the AAC crowd to the exits before the Clippers (17-10) put away the shorthanded Mavericks 120-111.

“I feel like we got to be better down the stretch at communicating,” said Mavericks second-year guard Jaden Hardy, who had 15 points on five 3-pointers while playing over 20 minutes for just the third time all season.

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Also apparent was how much Dallas misses rookie center Dereck Lively II, who sprained his left ankle early in Saturday’s win over the Trail Blazers. The Mavericks have been outscored 120-86 in the paint in their two losses without the 2023 12th overall pick, including 60-38 on Wednesday.

Head coach Jason Kidd said pregame there is “no timetable” for Lively’s return and had a curt response to how the Mavericks can cope while having to play a smaller lineup without a bona fide rim protector.

“Ask the other team not to take the ball to the paint,” he said.

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Leonard finished with 30 points on 12-of-22 shooting, with eight of those field goals coming from the restricted area. Clippers centers Ivica Zubac and Daniel Theis combined for 23 points and shot a collective 90% from the field, which included several uncontested dunks.

“This is the NBA,” Kidd said, “and everyone can get to the paint.”

The Mavericks dominated most of the second half after choosing to play either Derrick Jones Jr. or Williams at center instead of having both on the floor simultaneously. Jones had a big night on both ends, going for 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting along with a steal and two blocks.

By Jones’ own admission postgame, however, he’s not a true rim protector.

“Even if I’m the biggest guy out there, height-wise, I’m probably not going to be the defensive center. I’m always going to be on the wing,” he said. “So, I just try to do whatever I can on the defensive end no matter who I’m guarding, if I’m guarding the best player, if I’m not guarding the best player. I just do whatever I can do to make it a difficult night for the opposing team.”

His coach acknowledged it’s easier said than done.

“A lot of energy has to be spent on the defensive end when you’re small, and you got to help one another,” Kidd said. “And then you got to turn around, and we’re asking you to score.”

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Until someone comes back to ease the burden.

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