DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks’ offensive numbers during the first three preseason games have soared through the roof. But the defensive numbers are making coach Rick Carlisle cringe.

Back on Sept. 29, the Navs beat up on the Beijing Ducks, winning 116-63. But when the Mavs got to China and played an NBA team, they lost to Philadelphia 120-114 last Friday before regrouping and defeating the Sixers this past Monday, 115-112.

“We’re scoring some points,” Carlisle said following Wednesday’s practice at the Lympo practice facilities. “Our defensive numbers in the two Philly games are not good, and we’re giving up a lot of points.

“We’re giving up a high defensive efficiency rating. We’re not rebounding the ball well, so we’ve got work to do in the next six days to try to correct some things.”

The Mavs hope to correct their defensive woes in time for Friday’s preseason finale against Charlotte. Tipoff for that game at American Airlines Center is 6 p.m.

Of course, the Mavs played the two games against Philly without their best defensive player. Center DeAndre Jordan stayed in the United States due to a death in his family.

And since Jordan is one of the game’s best rebounders and interior defenders who can impose his (defensive) will on his teammates, not having him in the two games against the Sixers presented all sorts of problems.

“Like everybody on the whole team we’ve all got to get better defensively right now,” Carlisle said. “Offensively, we’re moving it well and our shot-making has been good, but defensively our numbers have not looked good, so that’s a problem.

“Now we didn’t have DeAndre for those two games and that should help with our rebounding and our defense. But we should have been better in those games and we weren’t, and we’ve got to correct that.”

Sixers center Joel Embiid collected 51 points and 17 rebounds in the two games against the Mavs. If Jordan had been available to play, the Mavs are confident he could have contained Embiid somewhat.

“Joel Embiid, he’s a problem, he’s a great player side and out, so he’s going to be a tough matchup for anybody,” Jordan said. “That’s why it’s four other guys out there to help, to load up to help rebound.

“But for us we want to make sure our team defense is a lot better, and that starts with individual defense. We have the guys who are capable of doing things like that and we want to take advantage of our strengths, but at the same time we also want to be a better rebounding team. If we work like hell to make teams take a tough shot and a contested shot and they miss it, well we should there to get the rebound.”

NOTES: The Mavs arrived back home on Tuesday at 3 a.m. after splitting their two games against Philadelphia in China. And they were back on the practice court on Wednesday morning. “We had two games against a very good team and we enjoyed the trip very much,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “It was very well conceived, very well planned. China’s an amazing country. They treated us like kings over there. It was a great experience.”. .Carlisle is marveling at the way rookie Luka Doncic and second-year point guard Dennis Smith Jr. have clicked. “Smith and Doncic are playing well together,’ Carlisle said. “That’s no shock to me. I felt those guys are both high level young players and they’re both winners and they both will recognize the special abilities of the other and find a way to not only co-exist, but thrive together. So we need them to continue to do that. Dennis is becoming more of a leader every day for our team and that’s got to happen. It’s got to continue to happen.”. .The Mavs are averaging 115 ppg in their three preseason games. “Our assist percentage is the highest in the league right now in preseason, which that and $3.50 will get you something at Starbucks,” Carlisle said. “It is preseason, but it’s a good indicator that we’re moving the ball better and finding each other. And our pace number is up.”. . DeAndre Jordan didn’t make the trip to China because of a death in his family. But he also was able to get in some workouts, especially with forward Harrison Barnes, who also remained in the United States with a strained right hamstring. “I was able to work out here with a couple of coaches, and Harrison and I got some work in,” Jordan said. “I kept up to speed with everything, and obviously watched some of the games, even though they were extremely early. I was able to support the guys and kind if watch and still keep in touch with everybody.”. .The Mavs will open the regular season on Oct. 17 in Phoenix. The home opener for the Mavs is Oct. 20 against Minnesota.