Free throws as a weapon

The Mavs came into the game as best free-throw shooting team (86.1 percent) in the league. The problem, at least in Avery Johnson’s view, is they get to the line only 25.7 times per game. That ranks in the middle of the pack.

“We should be able to get there more,” Johnson said of the foul line. “Take our shots when they’re there, but really take the ball strong to the basket and try to get the line more.”

Johnson called it using the free-throw as a “weapon.” The Mavs took heed, hitting the bonus early in each of the first two quarters.