Already down a (big) man, the Dallas Mavericks lost another big man – Maxi Kleber – very early in Sunday’s matinee game against the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center.
So what did the Mavs do the compensate for the absence of Kristaps Porzingis sand Kleber, and how did it affect their interior defense? They leaned on forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock, and guards Frank Ntlinkina and Sterling Brown to add to what Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dwight Powell gave them during their 105-99 win over the Kings.
“I think all the smalls get excited because they all feel they get a chance to play,” coach Jason Kidd said.