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Dallas Mavericks: 5 New Year’s resolutions for 2019

By Adam Tayabali

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 30: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on with Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 30, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 30: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on with Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 30, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images.
Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images. /

4. Better road play

The Mavericks are a team that nobody wants to play in Dallas. They have been notorious for their ability to defend home-court, and this season are 15-3 in home games.

This season is no outlier, as Dallas has won a majority of its games at home. The team is 10th in the league in attendance, with 356,688 fans at the American Airlines Center on a nightly basis.

The Mavs playing away from home is a completely different story, however. They have lost nine consecutive road games to end 2018, and have a 2-16 record on the road overall in 2018-19.

At home, Dallas averages 113.6 points per game as opposed to 107.7 points on the road. Dallas also averages fewer rebounds, assists, steals and blocks on the road. They did manage to produce more turnovers and fouls, but the Mavericks also shot lower percentages from the field, 3-point range, and the free throw line.

Although many teams perform worse on the road, Dallas has been struggling across the board. It needs to bring the same energy it does while in front of the home crowd.

Dallas’ biggest issue has been its defense, as it is not the same aggressive team on the road as it is at home. There are solid defenders in Dennis Smith Jr., Harrison Barnes and DeAndre Jordan. Making sure they stay involved will be the key for Rick Carlisle to get his team back on track.

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