Mavericks Coach Blasts Referees After Loss

The Dallas Mavericks suffered a controversial 119-116 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, with head coach Jason Kidd expressing frustration over a missed goaltending call on Spencer Dinwiddie's final layup attempt. The play, which should have been ruled a goaltend as the ball hit the backboard before being blocked by Trey Murphy III, went uncalled, costing the Mavericks a chance to win. Kidd stated that the referees did not perform their duties correctly, leading to significant criticism from players and management alike, including Mark Cuban, who labeled the missed call 'incompetence at its finest.' Despite missing star players Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks were in a position to win, but this loss marked their third consecutive defeat. The Pelicans improved to 10-32 with the victory, while the Mavericks dropped further in the Western Conference standings. The incident highlights ongoing issues with officiating in the league, as several coaches have voiced similar concerns this season.