Rick Carlisle has broken down film and understands the Dallas Mavericks must get off to better starts to games.

“Our activity level has not been where it needs to be,’’ Carlisle said on Friday. “I’ve just got to prepare them better.

“I guess I’ve got to take it upon myself as a responsibility.’’

The Mavericks trailed by 22 less than 14 minutes into their loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

“We’ve got to be on and we’ve got to be in a fighting mode from the very beginning of games,’’ Carlisle said. “Some nights we are pretty good that way, but then the speed of teams can be a big factor and make it look like we’re not playing hard.

“We’ve got to be playing hard. We’ve got to be playing hard and communicating and really helping each other, and do it for 48 minutes in a row.’’