The Mavericks have entered new territory with new coach Rick Carlisle this season, attempting to run at will with Jason Kidd at the controls while also being a disciplined and effective defensive unit.
The transition game had its moments in the season opener against the Rockets, putting up 37 fast-break points, including Josh Howard filling the lane, driving hard and scoring almost at will in the first half. But allowing 112 points and 48.7-percent shooting won't get the job done.
"It shouldn't take that long," guard Jason Terry said of learning to run and defend with equal success. "We'll get there."
A less menacing opponent might help the cause on Saturday when the Mavs play at Minnesota. It's going to be a learning process for a team full of veterans trying to break the habits of an isolation offense run the past three seasons.
"There's going to be a formula that's going to be the right formula for us," Carlisle said. "We're not Loyola Marymount from the late '80s. We're not Phoenix from the last four years. But we have to use Jason Kidd's abilities to generate easy baskets to the best of our ability.
"At the same time we've got to do it so it doesn't erode our defense and that's one thing we've got to look closely at."
ROCKETS 112, MAVERICKS 102: The Mavs shot 25 percent (6-of-24) in the fourth quarter and were blown out during a 16-2 run after the score was tied, 92-92. Dirk Nowitzki (36 points) and Josh Howard (28 points) accounted for 62.7 percent of the team's scoring, but they were just 1-of-6 combined in the fourth quarter. Jason Terry was the only other Mavs player to score in double-figures with 15.
