DALLAS, TX – Dallas Mavericks (10-9) with yet another loss at home 114-96 as they are now 1-5 over their last seven games.

This was in large part due to the poor defensive performances by the team over the last two weeks.

Since their road stretch, they have not looked like the same team that knocked off the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics.

Tonight proved even against the Cleveland Cavaliers, they had no answer to as Jarrett Allen did circles around Moses Brown and company.

Let's take a look at why the Mavericks cannot get out of their own way on the defensive end.

Outrebounded night in and out

In the NBA, there is a high chance of winning games when you can win the rebound battle.

The Mavericks were abused on the boards as Jarrett Allen and the Cavaliers were not going to be denied.

Dallas could not crash enough boards as they were outrebounded 48-33, which has been a major concern.

Jason Kidd spoke in his press conference about how the team has to remain focused on defense with their recent struggles.

"It is something that we will have to address because defensively, we have been a non-factor. We are overplaying and are putting ourselves in jeopardy, and that is something we will need to address and get better at."

Kidd also mentioned that they need to keep the ball in front of them and stop being overaggressive for steals.

For Dallas to get better in this department, they will need to work extensively in this area in practice to reflect in games.

Too many points in the paint

The Mavericks have been a liability in defending the paints as they've given up 120 points last two games.

That stat alone accountable accounted for almost 50 percent of their scoring total.

Cavs won the points in the paint battle 60-48 as they were the better team in every aspect.

They have been a below-average team through their first 20 games but took it to the Mavericks last night.

They saw weakness from the first quarter and kept attacking Dallas in the paint from then on.

The physicality for the Mavericks in the second half was nonexistent as the Cavs lived near the basket.

Their energy was too much, and the Mavs had no game plan or adjustments to give themselves a boost.

The Mavs hit the road on Wednesday and head to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans.

Hopefully, they can regroup and find a way to put on a better defensive showing otherwise they will be at .500.

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