10 Most surprising Dallas Mavericks stats of the early season

5. Mavericks' fast pace

The Mavericks are playing at a top-10 pace in the NBA. Let it be reiterated, Dallas is playing at a top-10 pace in the association. This statement isn't to be taken lightly.

Dallas hasn't played faster than a top-15 pace since the 2014-15 season. In the 2014-15 season, the Mavericks played at a pace of 96.4, good for eighth in the association. This season, no team is playing at a pace worse than 97.23. Oh, how the league has changed.

Despite hoisting a ton of 3-pointers, which typically equates to at least a top-15 pace, the Mavericks have ranked near the bottom of the league every year in pace.

Since 2020, Dallas has ranked in the bottom five in pace. And the slow pace has hurt the Dallas offense and the defense. Despite such an efficient offense attack, the Mavs have generally ranked average to below average in points per game over the past few seasons.

And while the slow pace has limited the offense, the defense has been hurt as well. The Mavericks had a bad defense a year ago but allowed the 16th fewest points per game. Not a typical indicator of a terrible defense.

The Mavs finished with a top-five net rating a year ago, yet finished the season with a losing record. The slow pace of play didn't allow for much margin for error.

Dallas only averaged 84.3 field goal attempts per game, the second-fewest in the league. This season, Dallas is up to 18th in the league in field goal attempts per game. The Mavs are playing faster and getting more chances to put the ball in the hoop, thus increasing their margin for error.