PHOENIX -- As the close losses pile up, the Dallas Mavericks can only wonder what might have been.
Through the first 46 games this season, the Mavs lost eight overtime games and three other games by three points or less. Had all those games wound up in the Mavs' favor, they would have been sitting pretty with a 30-16 record. After Friday's win at Phoenix, their record is 20-27.But the Mavs know why they're mired in this precarious situation for a playoff run."A couple of plays here and there, a couple of turnovers here and there, the mistakes we made, we only can blame ourselves,'' center Brandan Wright said. "We could be 29-17 easily."But we're going to continue to fight. Usually, when you keep fighting and not give up you'll eventually break through.''The Mavs lost 106-104 at Portland on a jumper by LaMarcus Aldridge on Tuesday and fell 100-97 at Golden State on Thursday.Refs draw ireCoach Rick Carlisle heavily criticized the officials after Thursday night's loss.Carlisle seriously felt Brandon Wright shot with 6.2 seconds left and Golden State leading 98-97."The game came down to the call that wasn't made," he said. "Brandan Wright got hit in the arm, and it's obvious, and it's two nights in a row, and it's very tough to take, with as hard as our guys are fighting, to not be on the free throw line with a chance to go ahead with six seconds left in the game."I'm disappointed and I'm very concerned. Concerned about what's happening at the end of games with the officials. I can only be honest." Carlisle chips awayBefore Friday's game against Phoenix, Rick Carlisle talked about the Mavs possibly chipping away at some of the important things on his wish list: transition defense, rebounding and keeping turnovers low.Carlisle compared it to chipping away at the proverbial rock."You've just got to chip away and chip away until that sucker cracks, and we're going to keep chipping,'' Carlisle said.And when the rock fights back?"That's why these jobs pay a lot of money and they're not just pulling guys off the streets to play NBA games and coach NBA games. This is supposed to be hard.''Nowitzki still outForward Dirk Nowitzki warmed up before Friday's game, but, as expected, he didn't play for the second straight game after straining a right adductor muscle.Nowitzki hopes to play Monday at Oklahoma City. Dwain Price, 817-390-7760Twitter: @DwainPrice
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