The Mavs were 7-19 last season when they scored fewer than 110 points. Their offense won them loads of games but their defense was such that they couldn't really withstand off nights. Their clear goal is for that not to be the case this season.

The Lakers for reference were 12-14, Clippers 12-13, Nuggets 17-20. Not like teams are racking up Ws in that situation. But 7-19 won't get it done. Had the Mavs finished with the Lakers' record in those games, they would've been third in the West. Gotta be able to win ugly too.

Put differently, they were 8-21 in games when they scored worse than 112 pts/100. Only six teams scored 112 per 100 for the season! Dallas was No. 1 by far last season offensively but the defensive upgrades were entirely entirely necessary.