|
|
 |
 |
|
| |
Thursday, Feb. 24 8:30pm ET
Rodman puts on post-ejection circus | |||||
|
| ||||||
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
 GAME FLOW
DALLAS (AP) -- Dennis Rodman is turning out to be everything the Dallas Mavericks expected and everything they feared. Although Rodman has brought bigger crowds, a higher profile and more toughness, he's also been a magnet for fouls, ejections and controversy.
The NBA is investigating and could have a ruling soon. "Right now, it's something basketball operations is looking into," league spokesman Steve Alic said. "The referees have got to understand, people are not here to see them," Rodman said. "I do my thing. I don't take any cheap blows. I try to help the team win. I can't do that if I'm getting kicked out. It's unfair to me." Since joining the Mavericks, Rodman has:
"It's ridiculous. Just let Dennis Rodman play," said Rodman, whose only point against Utah was on a free throw with his eyes closed. "I'm not throwing cheap blows. I'm not out there trying to kill anybody." This game was expected to be physical because of Rodman's history with Utah's Karl Malone and because of a run-in Malone had with Dallas center Shawn Bradley and coach Don Nelson last month. It was so obvious that even the Mavericks' mascot wore boxing gloves during pregame introductions. The game was uneventful until early in the third quarter when Rodman picked up his first technical for arguing an official's call. He and Malone were later assessed a double foul when they got tangled up and both went sprawling to the court away from the action. The ball was nowhere near them again in the fourth quarter when Rodman was whistled for tripping Malone. His griping over that call led to his ejection, and he remained on the court to continue complaining. Once teammates and coaches finally convinced Rodman to leave the court, the action away from the action continued as his traditional jersey-toss into the stands triggered a courtside fight between the team doctor and a fan. "Dennis always has a knack of keeping the attention focused on him, even when he's walking down the street," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. The Jazz knew what to expect from Rodman -- and how to handle it. "We didn't pay any attention to him," guard Jeff Hornacek said. "When you as players can avoid paying any attention to him, then it has no effect. It will affect their team more than it will ours." Bryon Russell led the Jazz with 25 points and Malone had 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Dallas' starters scored just 32 points, led by Finley's 14. Cedric Ceballos had 26 points and Erick Strickland 16.
Notes | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Utah Clubhouse Dallas Clubhouse RECAPS Indiana 100 Chicago 83
Utah 92 AUDIO/VIDEO   Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone get tangled up.avi: 1032 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1   | |||||
