After the Mavericks came, saw and conquered in Mexico City, they got back to Dallas Thursday afternoon ready to begin a challenging stretch of the season.
How challenging?
The top five teams in the Eastern Conference standings all are waiting to take their swings at the Mavericks in the next five games.
Detroit, another East team that the Mavericks beat 122-111 in Mexico, was physical. The next five teams will be even more brutish.
But if the performance against the Pistons is any indication, this might just be right in Kristaps Porzingis’ wheelhouse.