The Mavericks fell to 6-2 at American Airlines Center with their 120-114 loss to the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.
It was the first of two home games against improved Eastern Conference teams as Cleveland comes to town on Monday.
Here’s our day-after observations about the Mavericks’ loss to the Wizards.
DEFENSE MORE LIKE PICKET FENCE: The Wizards got through and around the Mavericks’ defense all night long, but particularly in the fourth quarter, when they hit 10-of-16 shots (62.5 percent) and half of their six 3-pointers. The Mavericks couldn’t get stops when they needed them.