(Editor's note: Post-game reporting was conducted by Rebecca Lawson, who was in California at the Staples Center for this game. I compiled it for this post.)
Rick Carlisle
On the hole dug in the first half
You've got to play the whole 48 minutes from start to finish. We got a bad start, and really we didn't start fighting until the second half, and that's inexcusable.
On whether the intensity was there
Yeah, it's an NBA game. It's the best basketball in the world, so it's going to be intense.
On why the team lost the late lead (note: question was about the missed shots on offense down the stretch)
We couldn't get stops and that was the reason we lost. If you're going to pin all your hopes on shot making in this league, then you're not going to win nearly as many games as you can if you have the ability to get stops. We got the lead by getting stops, and then we lost it with mental mistakes and poor defense.
Mark Cuban
(unsure of the question)
We're getting better. Defense is a team game. You learn the coach and you learn how to play together. Those things can improve. It sure helps when we had Sam out there.
On whether he expects the team to improve
If we stay healthy, yeah. We've got to stay healthy.
Dirk Nowitzki
On losing the huge lead
I was thinking we might be the only team trying to find a way to lose this one. We were up, I don't even know -- 15 or 16? -- and we just got to find a way to win it. Get a couple stops here and there, had to make one or two shots. There's no way we should lose this game.
Shawn Marion
On the game as a whole
When you score 127 points, it should be a walkaway win, but it wasn't the case. We couldn't get stops on one end, we couldn't make shots for two, three minutes. Crowds got into the game, it was revved up in there. It was like a playoff game in the last few minutes. Just too much testosterone in there, so much competitive. Everybody going back and forth mouthing, and getting techs.
On the refereeing
I don't know, I'm not talking about no officiation. I like to keep my money when it comes to that. I'm not talking about officiating. But I would get fined or something else talking about the officiating.
On how much it hurts to blow the lead
That's the most frustrating part, because we were in control of this game, and to lose like that is very frustrating.
On losing four games with 17 point leads
I don't know, but we've got to find a way to do something. We got no stops, and they scored 129 points. Shit, how many teams would win giving up 129 points. It's hard to beat anybody giving up that many points.