Rick Carlisle will be the new coach of the Dallas Mavericks, a decision expected for nearly a week but slowed by contract negotiations.
The papers aren't signed yet, but team owner Mark Cuban confirmed in an e-mail to The Associated Press last night that a verbal deal is in place.
The contract “will be signed tomorrow (today),” with a news conference Wednesday because Cuban will be out of town until then.
Carlisle was the only candidate the Mavericks interviewed after firing coach Avery Johnson the morning after their second straight first-round playoff exit.
Cavs' Wallace doubtful
Cavaliers starting forward Ben Wallace is doubtful for today's Game 3 of Cleveland's playoff series against the Boston Celtics because of allergies and a left inner ear infection.
Cavs coach Mike Brown said if Wallace can't go, Anderson Varejao would likely start up front alongside LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas as host Cleveland tries to climb back from an 0-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series.
Rookie Stuckey might start
The Detroit Pistons are aggressively treating point guard Chancey Billups' strained hamstring and hope he can return for Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series in Orlando today. If Billups can't go, rookie Rodney Stuckey, chosen No. 15 overall out of Eastern Washington, would make his third career NBA start.
Nash expects D'Antoni back
Despite rampant speculation that Mike D'Antoni is headed to Chicago or New York, Phoenix point guard Steve Nash expects his coach to return to the Suns' bench next season.
“Mike's my coach,” Nash said. “So I expect to see Mike back here next year.”
