It's just one of those strange deals in sports, things happen and there's really no good explanation why. Such as the Dallas Mavericks once again being a good road team.

Winning on the road was once a calling card under Avery Johnson, then suddenly in Johnson's final season, the Mavs lost interest in playing anywhere that required an airplane. That attitude carried over into Rick Carlisle's first season with some incredibly listless road losses. Back home, without fail, they brought more energy and acted as if they enjoyed playing the game.

This season it's just the opposite. Who can explain lethargic home losses to Washington and Golden State? The Atlanta loss was at least more understandable, but not the 75 uninspired points the Mavs scored.

After looking sharp in Miami, the Mavs now have the most road wins in the Western Conference with nine and are tied for the fewest losses with four. A third consecutive season with a losing road record doesn't seem likely.

Even if there's no good explanation why.

"Sometimes schedule can have something to do with it, sometimes the teams you’re playing, the matchups can influence it," Carlisle said prior to leaving for Miami. "We got off to a very good start on the road with the two wins in L.A. this year and got some momentum and obviously we don’t want to lose it. It’s just very competitive from top to bottom in the entire league so you’ve got to be ready to play whoever you’re playing, wherever you’re playing."

Tonight we'll see if the Mavs can bring that road intensity back home against Charlotte, a team the Mavs have not lost to since the Bobcats joined the league. Charlotte lost Friday night at San Antonio.