The Mavericks will be without their top three big men for the next seven games. The team has pivoted by playing small-ball lineups.

Anthony Davis will be sidelined at least two more weeks with the groin injury sustained in his Dallas debut, while the Mavericks say their star forward is making good progress in his recovery.

"I love Anthony Davis but you guys always tell me your best ability is availibility." Custer continued. "He's never available. His nickname was Street Clothes. You made a trade for a man and he gave you a double-double in two quarters and got hurt. And now you don't even know when he's coming back."