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Cauley-Stein wins the game’s heavyweight champion of the world belt

Just to punctuate how serious they are about stepping up their game on the defensive end of the floor this season, the Dallas Mavericks implemented a new award prior to Wednesday’s contest against the Indiana Pacers.

And it’s all pertaining to defense.

“We have a new award that we’re giving – only in wins,” coach Rick Carlisle said following the 124-112 triumph over the Pacers. “It’s a Defensive Player Of The Game heavyweight champion of the world belt to the Mavs’ Defensive Player Of The Game. You’ll see it on social media.”

Wednesday’s winner of this inaugural belt was center Willie Cauley-Stein, who came off to bench to score 10 points, grab five rebounds, hand out two assists, block a pair of shots, collect two steals and make life utterly miserable for the Pacers inside the paint in only 19 minutes.