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Dallas Mavericks: 5 Reasons Behind Surprising Start

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (left) in the huddle with teammates prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns in the season opener at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (left) in the huddle with teammates prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns in the season opener at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Mavericks
Nov 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) drives to the basket as Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) and center Zaza Pachulia (27) defend during the first quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Defense

The Mavericks are in the middle of the pack for field goal percentage, they’re a bottom-third team in three-point efficiency and they’re average in terms of assists per game, offensive rating and pretty much every other shooting or scoring statistic. So how are they winning games? Defense.

That’s surprising considering Dallas’ starting frontcourt includes a 37-year old Dirk Nowitzki, but the Mavs as a whole are only surrendering 99.5 points per 100 possessions, the ninth best mark in the league. They’re top 10 in opponent field goal percentage, top five in opponent three-point percentage and top five in fewest points allowed in the paint per game.

With such an aged and un-athletic roster, it’s been surprising to see this Mavericks defense play so well, but perhaps that’s what happens with a roster so experienced and a head coach so close to being a warlock.

Next: No. 2

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