5 goals for Dallas Mavericks in 2022-23 season

Dallas Mavericks goal for 2022-23 season: 3. Top 5 defense

The Mavs made a surprising jump from 21st to seventh in defensive rating in their first season under head coach Jason Kidd, but they are not satisfied with that. Their defense carried them in the playoffs. Dallas held the Jazz to 100 or fewer points in four of the six games in the first round, and they forced the Suns into their three lowest-scoring performances of the season in round two.

Multiple players said the Mavericks want to be a top-five defense this season during media day. From Jan. 1 to the end of last regular season, Dallas was fourth in defensive rating. and the team believes they can build on that. JaVale McGee gives them a rebounder and rim protector that the Mavs lacked last season.

The philosophy will be the same for the Mavericks this season. They want to limit threes and shots at the rim. Head coach Jason Kidd is already preaching communication and togetherness during training camp, and the team has focused on their defense.

Dallas has no plans of taking a step back on the defensive end this season. They want to finish in the top five, but it will take a total team effort to achieve that goal. Will the Mavs be up for that challenge?