The Dallas Mavericks fell in a high-scoring contest against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, losing 134-127. The Pacers swept the season series last year by scoring in the 130s in both games last year, and that continued in this game, even though they missed Aaron Nesmith.

Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner had monster games for the Pacers, with Turner finishing with a season-high 30 points and Haliburton coincidentally putting up 25 points and 12 assists. It was the wrong game for the Mavs to lose Dereck Lively II, who had to miss late with a shoulder injury. They needed their defensive skills at a low level.

Dallas got off to another slow start, as the Pacers took a 15-2 lead before the Mavericks made their first field goal. If they could have had better first minutes, this could have been a very different game.

Here are three takeaways from Monday night’s loss.

READ MORE: Myles Turner and Pacers top Mavericks in high-scoring affair, 134-127

Myles Turner was the first big player the Mavericks faced this year (Wembanyama isn’t a good enough shooter yet), and he gave them all kinds of problems. Dallas wants to protect the paint and will have trouble against the Indianas and Bostons of the world. Of course, there aren’t many teams that have a legitimate five and blitz from three, but Dallas has to be better than this. They were so concerned about Turner’s stretching ability that they allowed the Pacers to shoot 27/31 at the rim due to mismatches.

Dereck Lively II is not your average second-year center. His mobility and reach change so many shots throughout a game that you can become numb to it. Without him, Dallas was left with either PJ Washington at center or veteran Dwight Powell. Nor are they sustainable options against big teams.

Naji Marshall had his best game as a Maverick on Sunday night, then squandered that performance for the sixth 20-point game of his career: 20 points, six assists and five rebounds. He is a great player on this team, especially when you include his defensive ability.

READ MORE: Key Maverick a late scratch against Indiana Pacers

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