Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is not happy with referee treatment of his superstar this season.
Carlisle said Dirk Nowitzki doesn't go to the free-throw line nearly as much as he should and he's tempted to let the league know about it. "I'd like to see him get to the free-throw line more," Carlisle said. "It's a situation we're looking at. He's unusual because he's a 7-footer that plays up above the free-throw line. The rules above the free-throw line are different then below. Because he's 7-feet, sometimes I worry that he's getting viewed as a big man but not getting the same kind of benefit that the perimeter players get in terms of calls."
Nowitzki entered Sunday's game at Memphis ranked 16th in the league in free throws attempted with 201 and 19th in free throws per game at 6.5.
Nowitzki made all six of his attempts Sunday.
Why's it so important to Carlisle that Nowitzki get to the line more? Nowitzki, already averaging 25.9 points a game, is an 87.1 percent career foul shooter and is making 89.6 percent this season.
GRIZZLIES 102, MAVERICKS 82: The Mavs were blown out in the final 18 minutes of the game after taking a three-point lead, 58-55. Dirk Nowitzki scored 28 points, but had just six in the second half. Jason Terry finished with 18 and Josh Howard had 12. The Mavs couldn't stop Marc Gasol (19 points) in the first half or O.J. Mayo (21 points) in the second half.
