(08-15-2020, 01:22 PM)omahen Wrote: Mavs defense was number 19 in the bubble. If they don't improve that, no offensive tweaks will make a difference.
I agree with that too. Two things defensively however are affected by what I'm suggesting here.
1) Offense affects defense. Symbiotic. For example you're trying to hold on to a lead but you're shooting perimeter jumpers. Long misses lead to long rebounds that lead to breaks without your defense being set. Misses in general can lead to compromised defensive transitions more so than when the other team is always taking the ball out of the basket after you score.
That's one reason even big leads can evaporate so quickly.
If you're scoring well and pressuring the other defense and getting to the free throw line a lot on the other hand, you're able to set your defense.
2) Rebounds. If the Mavs front line rebounds better, that also helps their defense.