"What the hell was he thinking?"

By K. King (Dallas, Texas)
Images by Channing Jemerson

What was coach Rick Carlisle thinking when he chose to play Ian Mihinmi over Brendan Haywood in a game against the "Best in the West" showdown between the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks. Dirk dressed in street clothes missed the game against the Spurs.

Coach Carlisle, fans I spoke with seem tho think that coach made a "stupid" decision playing Ian Mihimi and not Brendan Haywood. Talk about scratch my head? What the hell was he thinking?

What was coach thinking? "He's stupid" says fan as we walked out the American airlines Center after the game.. Makes no sense. Of course, in the post game interview, Carlisle attempted to explain his reason for his decision. We (media) left the interview with nothing.

However, Carlise did say he spoke with Haywood (Brendan) of his decision earlier before game time. Haywood hasn't been playing his best game. Not sure if something negative has gotten him in a funk thereby, affecting his game. Could it possibly be 'coaches decisions' made that lessens his minutes? Who knows? Whatever his reason, why the game against San Antonio, where a win for the Spurs was inevitable.

Oh yeah, the referees favored the Spurs too. No breaks for the Mavs. Surprised?

Can you say "fixed".

Rockets win 8 consecutive home games beat Wizards 100 - 93

Image by Channing Jemerson
The Toyota Center - Houston, Texas

Aaron Brooks (13 points) helped the Rockets come back from a 10 point deficit, scoring 13 points in the final minutes of the game. Shane Battier also had a good night against the Wizards with 16 points also helping the Rockets extend their lead to a victory.

Mavs lose to Toronto 84-76

By Katrina King

Image by Channing Jemerson

Can't blame it on not having the big guy (Dirk Nowitzki) in the game. Can't blame it on Toronto for playing a solid defense and an offensive game. Can't blame it on the referees. The Mavs played "subpar" as coach Carlisle said.

The Toronto Raptors simply outplayed the Mavericks at the Ameican Airlines Center. Yes, the Mavericks may have had a chance to win if Dirk was in the lineup tonight, but, he wasn't. The guys stepped up played cohesively and won in Oklahoma when Dirk went down in the first quarter of the game.

Shawn Marion joined the starting line up in place of Nowitzki. Marion had another good night ending the night with 12 points. Even, Brian Cardinal got a piece of the scoring action.

"It's been bothering me for awhile"

By Katrina King

Image by Channing Jemerson

Dirk went out in the first quarter in the OKC game with 9 minutes to go in the first quarter. during a play dirk went up for the ball and landed awkwardly twisting his ankle. He would not return for the remainder of the game.

Dirk spoke briefly to reporters after the game, saying " This felt scarier than any other injury. If this was just a twisted ankle than I could walk it off. But this is a different. I'll have a M.R.I tomorrow morning and will go from there".

On the team win: "Guys were stepping up left and right." Tyson with the tip in, Caron and Shawn with scoring. It felt good to see the guys perform well".

On Time Arrival

By K. King
Image by Channing Jemerson

Leader of the game: Caron Butler. Dirk was hurt in the first half..out for the rest of the game with a sore right knee. Shawn "The Matrix" Marion had the hot hand, Jason Terry (Mr. 4th quarter) started the fourth quarter knocking down shots. Kevin Durant kept Oklahoma City in the ball game.

"JET is on the runway" as fans say in court side chat. Jason Terry mind and his spirit is always on the game. Although, Dirk went out in the first quarter, Marion scored 20 points stepped up and filled the need in the power forward spot. As the Matrix in Phoenix, Shawn is comfortable in his position with the Mavs. "I had to stick it out tonight to get it done and that's what I did". "the more active I am in the paint, the better for or team".

In coach Carlisle place was his assistant coach, Dwane Cassey whom guided the team to a victory without Carlisle. His first win. I know coach Carlisle is pleased with how the team played on the road without their star player Dirk Nowitzki. Led by coach and leader on the floor, Jason Kidd (10 assists and 9 rebounds).

When you have depth on the bench, the captain (J. Kidd) can just orchestrate plays. Tyson is such a defender in the middle and a potential threat. But once, again the talk of the game is Mr. 4th quarter, Jason Terry. Mavs held Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant to 4 points in the fourth. Oklahoma City Thunder played a good game but the Mavericks left the arena with the "W".

Mavs try to keep the Thunder at bay with Caron Butler's 3 pointer in the 4th quarter.