Carlisle says Nowitzki not receiving enough calls from refs

[HMFFL]

Dirk Nowitzki was sporting a discolored welt on the bridge of his nose Thursday, courtesy of Minnesota’s Brian Cardinal, who whacked Nowitzki during the Mavericks’ victory over the Timberwolves on Tuesday.

"Snore a little more," Nowitzki said when asked if getting hit on the nose had an effect on his breathing.

Coach Rick Carlisle, however, wasn’t in a joking mood when Nowtizki was hacked. He stomped on the floor, complained to the referees, drew two technical fouls and was ejected from the game.

Carlisle said Thursday that he believes Nowitzki should receive more free throws and he indicated he might ask the league to look into the matter.

"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 than 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.

"We’re certainly not pointing a finger publicly here. But if there’s something that needs to be looked at; the league will look at it if we can make a case."

Nowitzki ranks 14th in free throws attempted with 194. Last year he was 11th in attempts and two years ago he was 14th.

All Nowitzki is worried about is making more free throws. Although he has made 89.2 percent and is tied for 10th in the league, he said his New Year’s resolution is to get back to more than 90 percent.

"What’d I shoot, 6 out of 10 last game?" he said. "That ain’t gonna cut it."

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