Game 3 of Dallas-Denver ended not just with controversy, but also some angry midcourt action involving Mark Cuban, Josh Howard, Kenyon Martin, Kenyon Martin's mom, Mark Wunderlich, a local cameraman, a local photographer, security guards and other entourage. Above, you'll see Howard angrily yelling at Wunderlich, the referee in best position to call the intentional foul on Antoine Wright. You'll also see Cuban shove a news cameraman.
It's been a postseason full of questionable calls. And no one's really been happy with it. Most times when a team's fans call foul (or no-foul) on the officiating, you can attribute it to homerism and turning a blind eye to a team's mistakes.
Of course, there are exceptions.
The Dallas Mavericks held a two point lead over the Denver Nuggets this afternoon with six seconds left. The Nuggets inbounded and Carmelo Anthony bobbled the ball before recovering and swinging left. Antoine Wright approached Melo at the wing in full knowledge of two facts.
1. The Mavericks had a foul to give.
2. With a one-possession lead on defense with a foul to give, you always foul to interrupt the play.
Wright came at Melo with two seconds on the clock. And that's where things went a little haywire.
Cherry Picking recaps the previous day's NBA playoff action.
The Nuggets have been the most impressive team in the West to this point in the playoffs. They crushed the Hornets so badly that Byron Scott may lose his job and the roster might be overhauled before next season. And now, after a Tuesday night Game 2 victory over the Mavericks, Denver finds itself halfway to the conference finals.
Based on who they've played, though, should we really be considering them as a candidate for one of the best teams in the conference? All signs point to NO.
The Mavericks went into their second game against the Nuggets trailing by one in the series, and played most of Game 2 without one of their top scorers. Josh Howard was able to hang around for only six minutes due to an ankle sprain, and the rest of his team was able to keep it close through three quarters before Denver pulled away in impressive fashion, to take a 2-0 series lead by a score of 117-105.
Nuggets 117, Mavericks 105: Recap | Box Score Nuggets Lead 2-0 | Next Game: Saturdday @ Dallas, 5PM ET
You might have thought differently from their over-the-top celebration last week after getting out of the first round for the first time since 1994, or perhaps from the lackluster way in which they allowed the Mavericks to jump out to an early lead in Game 1 of the conference semis on Sunday afternoon.
But finally, the real Denver Nuggets, as focused and dangerous as any team left in the postseason, re-appeared over the final three quarters on Sunday, knocking the visiting Mavs on their heels before running away with a 109-95 victory.
Nuggets 109, Mavericks 95: Recap | Box Score Nuggets Lead 1-0 | Next Game: Tuesday @ Denver, 10:30 PM ET
Every team of the West has looked invisible next to the Lakers. But Denver and Dallas -- both of which dominated first-round opponents who ranked far more highly in preseason polls -- believe they can beat the Lakers. First, they have to get through each other. The series begins Sunday.
It feels strange to even type it, but it's true: the Spurs have been eliminated in the first round, losing to the Mavericks on Tuesday night 106-93 and ending a streak of eight consecutive seasons in which the Spurs won at least one playoff series.
At least there's no confusion about what the Spurs need to do this summer: get deeper. This team never bounced back from the loss of Manu Ginobili, as even huge games from Tim Duncan (30 points, eight boards) and Tony Parker (26 points, 12 assists) weren't enough to keep this game competitive.
The time has come. Playoffs. And you know what that means. No, not obnoxious commercials that dig into your skull. FanHouse Live Blog Fun Partytime! We'll be here all night, with two live blogs to keep you entertained on a Saturday night!
It all starts with Mavs at Spurs at 8PM EST. Can the Mavericks continue their hothand into the playoffs against a wounded Spurs team? Can the Spurs pull one more run out of their hat, even with Manu Ginobili on the floor? Join us at 8PM EST and we'll find out.
OK, sure, stacking Josh Howard, Jason Terry and former MVP Dirk Nowitzki around him was no more successful than surrounding him with Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson, but you know what they say: 18th time's the charm. 
DALLAS -- The Mavericks were on the brink of ending their season and raising all sorts of questions about the direction of the team.
It's been a postseason full of questionable calls. And no one's really been happy with it. Most times when a team's fans call foul (or no-foul) on the officiating, you can attribute it to homerism and turning a blind eye to a team's mistakes. 
The Mavericks went into their second game against the Nuggets trailing by one in the series, and played most of Game 2 without one of their top scorers. Josh Howard was able to hang around for only six minutes due to an ankle sprain, and the rest of his team was able to keep it close through three quarters before Denver pulled away in impressive fashion, to take a 2-0 series lead by a score of 117-105.
No, the Nuggets aren't "just happy to be here." 
FanHouse previews every round of the NBA Playoffs. 
It feels strange to even type it, but it's true: the Spurs have been eliminated in the first round, losing to the Mavericks on Tuesday night 106-93 and ending a streak of eight consecutive seasons in which the Spurs won at least one playoff series. 
The time has come. Playoffs. And you know what that means. No, not obnoxious commercials that dig into your skull. FanHouse Live Blog Fun Partytime! We'll be here all night, with two live blogs to keep you entertained on a Saturday night! 
