Mavericks defense has improved this season

Say what you want to about this team's offensive woes early on - at least before last night's 129-101 win over Toronto - but the Mavericks have played much better defense so far this season. Coach Rick Carlisle made it a focus early on, and the Mavericks have responded. Off-season additions of foward Shawn Marion and pesty guard Quinton Ross have certainly helped. For a team that once believed the fastest way to the win column was getting to 100 points, this season's Mavericks have talked defense from the beginning and backed it up on the court. Last season, the Mavericks were 18-23 in games in which they didn't score in triple digits. This year: 3-1. Guard Jason Terry, known for his offensive punch off the bench, said he's even taking it personal to improve his defense. "I was challenged in training camp early," Terry said. "Actually at the end-of-the-year meetings last year, they said I could do a much better job defensively. I have taken that to heart and the team feeds off of it. Our defense is very underrated and right now we're trying to make a statement." The Mavericks will have to rely on their defense to help get them through a tough upcoming stretch. Beginning Tuesday at home against Houston, Dallas plays five games in seven days and the last four are on the road. Let's hear from you. What are your thoughts on the Mavericks' defense so far this season? And give us your prediction for the team's record over its upcoming five-games-in-seven-days stretch (the opponents: Houston, San Antonio, Minnesota, Detroit and Milwaukee).