The biggest shift in Dallas’ defense isn’t a new scheme or a complex play. It is actually the referees letting players hit each other harder. Coach Dusty May said the league is allowing more physical contact on ball handlers in the open court, and the Mavericks are using that rule to their advantage.
May told reporters that this change in how the game is officiated encourages his team to play more aggressively. The staff feels safe picking up opponents higher up the floor because the officials allow for more physicality without calling fouls. This creates a safer environment for defenders to take risks and force turnovers.
“The point of attack defense and the physicality that you can use on an open court ball handler encourages you to pick up more because there’s very little risk,” May said, according to Yardbarker. While the team did give up two layups in a previous game due to these aggressive pickups, the strategy has generated several turnovers and made opponents uncomfortable trying to run their offense.
Rookie Defining The Pace
While the rules help, the execution relies on the speed and conditioning of rookie Zaccharie Risacher. In 29.5 minutes per contest over six games, the 21-year-old averages 2.0 steals and 1.7 blocks. Victor Wembanyama alone tops the entire NBA in combined steals and blocks, with his 22 ranking second.
The coaching staff trusts Risacher to make smart plays even when he takes big risks to clean up mistakes made by teammates. May noted that Risacher arrived at summer workouts in excellent shape and has maintained that level of fitness throughout the season. He can play five hard minutes and sit on the bench without being out of breath.
“He’s got great instincts, his motor, his conditioning. He came in this summer, the first day he came for workouts, he was in really good physical condition. So that’s a big part of it,” May said, according to Yardbarker. The coach believes this endurance comes from both genetics and the work Risacher put in during the offseason.
“I’m sure DNA is a percentage of it, but also his offseason work,” May said. “I think he’s just a guy that never gets out of shape, so he’s never fighting to get back in.”
Winning The Grind
On Friday night, Dallas secured a win over the Houston Rockets thanks to this defensive identity in a game decided at the end. The lead changed hands nine times, and the Mavericks had to match the physical intensity of their rivals to survive. After missing time with a thumb injury, Caleb Martin saw the entire fourth quarter during his second game back.
May praised the team’s ability to handle the rough play. He noted that while some teams struggle to match intensity when shots aren’t falling, Dallas has shown they can stay tough. Martin was a key part of that effort, hitting a crucial three-pointer to tie the game late in the fourth quarter.
“Well, we’re extremely excited to win a game that was in the trenches,” May said, according to Yardbarker. He added that he cannot imagine any team being tougher than the Rockets, but the Mavericks proved they could compete in those moments.
Their next NBA Cup game is scheduled for November 6 at home against the Utah Jazz.
