The Dallas Mavericks have been short-handed in recent weeks due to injuries.
Neither the LA Lakers or the Dallas Mavericks are blessed at the center position right now.
The Lakers attempted to solve their shortage by trading for Mark Williams, later rescinded, before a free agent pick up of Alex Len, who has not performed well so far. He did not feature against the Mavericks.
The Mavs have options at center when healthy, but have Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively all out with injuries. So right now they are desperately thin.
Against the Lakers they welcomed back Dwight Powell, who has playing his first game since January 18.
Tough night for Dwight Powell
Dwight Powell has been averaging just 7.9 points per game this season. He was required to play 16 minutes against the Lakers.
The 33-year-old has been with the Mavs since 2014. He endured a tough night against the Lakers, who really took over into the fourth quarter.
Brian Windhorst spoke about Powell’s difficult return, via ESPN’s Get Up, with the Lakers exposing his weaknesses.
He said: “The Mavericks are not really equipped to compete down the stretch of this game, the Lakers made 11 baskets in the pain the fourth quarter, 11, and yes, some of them were LeBron in transition, but they just couldn’t measure up.
“They started a two way center, Dwight Powell, who hasn’t played in six weeks, finished the game. They just tore him apart on the inside.”
Powell can add some physicality for Dallas, and act as a stop-gap until Anthony Davis is back, who is expected to return ahead of either Gafford or Lively
Lakers and Mavs will match up again
This was a game the LA Lakers were expected to win, on home court, and better adjusted to working without a standout center.
Windhorst believes the game will have a different feel next time they meet in Dallas, while acknowledging Luka Doncic will be even better too.
“If Anthony Davis was there, this game might have gone a different way. And I want to see Luka with his legs underneath him, able to play the way we know he can play.”
The NBA insider says he is wondering what a playoff match-up between the LA Lakers and Dallas Mavericks would look like.
He added: “We’ve seen him [Doncic] amazingly, have personal vendettas and playoff series before where they were a little invented. This one would not be invented.
“Yes, it would be amazing. And look, it could be as simple as the first round the Mavericks could be a play in team and the Lakers could be the two seed.”