Dallas Mavericks Publications

As Playoffs Begin, League's Highest-Scoring Team is Talking Defense

By Ken Turetzky

The Mavericks, by reputation, are all about offense. The Big Three, Michael Finley, Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, had been breaking down opponents with a fast-paced, sharpshooting game for some time before Nick Van Exel and Raef LaFrentz arrived in a February trade to add much-needed depth and energy to the league's highest-scoring team.

So, why, on the eve of Dallas' second consecutive playoff campaign under Head Coach and General Manager Don Nelson, are the Mavs talking about defense?

"We just have to continue to take pride in our defense," says Finley. "We know we can score, but defense and rebounding is what's gonna get us over the hump."

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