The result of the Dallas Mavericks’ first-round series with the San Antonio Spurs will not affect the job security of coach Rick Carlisle, owner Mark Cuban said Tuesday night.

“I mean, it’s not something we’ll evaluate now,” Cuban said before the Mavericks’ 103-81 victory in Game 5. “It’s not something we’ll evaluate this summer. I don’t see what would change anything.”

The Mavericks trail 3-2 in the best-of-7 series. Game 6 is Thursday night at San Antonio.

The Mavericks have a 105-59 record in two seasons under Carlisle, extending the franchise’s streak to 10 consecutive 50-win campaigns. In 2009, Carlisle guided the Mavs to their first playoff series win since they advanced to the 2006 NBA Finals.

Click here to read the full article – By Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com

Tony Parker saw the crowd gathered around Richard Jefferson and couldn’t resist teasing him.

“Man, one big game,” Parker said, smiling. “Look at all this.”
Jefferson took it in stride. After all, he was probably glad Parker didn’t woof or bark.

Knowing he was among the guys Spurs coach Gregg Popovich thought “played like dogs” in the opener, Jefferson bounced back by scoring 17 of his 19 points in the first half to help San Antonio beat the Dallas Mavericks 102-88 in Game 2 on Wednesday night. The win ties their first-round series at a game apiece, with the next two games in the Alamo City.
“You could see it in his eyes that he was motivated,” Parker said. “Nobody likes to play bad and he knew he didn’t have a good first game. Knowing his mentality, we knew he was going to come back.”

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Dirk Nowitzki was amazed. Even after hitting nearly every shot he took, the San Antonio Spurs still weren’t sending more defenders at him.

So he kept shooting. And scoring.

Nowitzki made 12 of 14 shots and all 12 of his free throws, coming up with 36 points to carry the Dallas Mavericks to a 100-94 victory over the rival Spurs on Sunday night in Game 1 of their first-round series.
“Sometimes,” Nowitzki said, “you have one of those nights where the basket is big.”
The Spurs slowed Nowitzki in the first round last year by swarming him with two and sometimes three defenders. He was expecting it again this series and practically begged them to bring it on with the way he attacked whoever was covering him.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Yao Ming will never again be the 37-minute workhorse he has been in recent seasons. At this point, the Rockets would happily settle for 25 quality minutes a night next season.

So there’s your new reality. On the positive side, they’ll have one of the NBA’s best centers back on the floor.
His presence will be especially critical on the defensive end, where the Rockets have been — how can we phrase this gently? — not very good.
He’s also a dominant low-post scorer, a great teammate and all-around good person. In other words, the Rockets are lucky to have him. If you ever thought they would be better off without him, this season probably convinced you otherwise.

Click here to read the full article – By RICHARD JUSTICE of Houston Chronicle

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The Mavericks are one of the smartest teams in the NBA, thanks largely to Jason Kidd, but when it comes to finishing out the regular season tonight, there’s one thing they cannot do.

Don’t over think it.

They very well could be seeing their first-round opponent when San Antonio steps on the floor at American Airlines Center. At least, part of their first-round opponent, given that Spurs’ coach Gregg Popovich has been known to sit his heavy lifters in situations like this.

But for the Mavericks, they have been on such an impressive run lately, the last thing they want to do is change anything.

Oh, maybe the minutes get a little shorter for Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki. But beyond that, they would like nothing better than to finish the season on a five-game winning streak and head into the playoffs with a mountain of momentum.

Click here to read the full article – By EDDIE SEFKO of The Dallas Morning News

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There were plenty of fond memories from Monday’s home opener, but in the end, it was a day to forget for the Indians and the sellout crowd at Progressive Field.

Fausto Carmona offered up another positive performance, and rising star Shin-Soo Choo enjoyed a highlight-filled game, but Cleveland still lost, drop-ping a 4-2 decision to the Rangers in front of 42,061 fans.

Nelson Cruz’s two-run home run off reliever Jamey Wright with one out in the 10th inning broke a 2-all tie and sent the Indians to their fourth straight defeat.

It was the second straight day that Cleveland’s bull-pen, a suspect group even before losing closer Kerry Wood to injury, had a hand in torching a potential vic-tory.

“It’s nothing to be happy about, but we’re not the only team that’s had struggles at the back end (of the bullpen),” said Indians manager Manny Acta. “It’s going to get better as the season goes on.”

Cleveland’s bullpen actually staved off the defeat for an inning after Wood’s replacement, right-hander Chris Perez, struggled again in the ninth inning.

Click here to read the full article – By Chris Assenheimer of http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com

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I like this team more by the inning. I like the defense and the starting pitching, and I think the back of the bullpen will be solid. I think when Puma gets back in there the lineup will be good enough.

And this Chris Johnson kid? He’s got a future, a bright one. Be still my beating heart. As for Manzella, he’s not yet the second Adam Everett, but he looks awfully good.

I wasn’t sure about the 2010 Astros when the season started, but now I’m excited. I promise you the Cardinals are looking at this team and thinking this division race suddenly is a lot more difficult than it looked two days ago.

Some of you will get your dobbers down over these two opening losses. Pshaw. You’re not able to see the big picture the way I am. You can only think an inning at a time. Don’t worry about it.

You’re lucky to have me here to review things and set you straight. Starting pitching wins. Defense wins. Now the Astros do need the stars to be stars. They need the Puma to get back out there, and they need Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee to have big years.

Click here to read the full article – By Richard Justice of Houston CHronicle

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