Rick Carlisle Rips Mavericks' Effort After Loss vs. Raptors

The Dallas Mavericks have dropped four of their last six games, and Tuesday's 103-99 loss to the Toronto Raptors didn't sit well with head coach Rick Carlisle. 

According to the Star-Telegram's Dwain Price, Carlisle ripped his team publicly for an uneven effort that saw Dallas fall behind by 18 points in the first quarter and 13 at halftime: 

"

Do I look happy? Would you be happy? It was a 24-minute take-you-to-the-beach, kick your butt, kick sand in your face type deal.

We come in at halftime and we’re finally [upset], I get on their case and we decide to bust our [rear ends] in the third quarter and we played a hell of a third quarter. But look, if it’s going to be like that these guys aren’t going to be Mavericks very long — I can promise you that.

"

While Dallas' reserves made a late push that nearly wiped away Toronto's 16-point lead with under six minutes to play, Carlisle evidently wasn't pleased with how his starters performed. Dirk Nowitki finished with a team-high 20 points, and Wesley Matthews added 15, but Zaza Pachulia, Raymond Felton and Deron Williams all finished with seven points in the loss. 

Williams was also forced to leave the loss with a strained left hamstring, according to Earl K. Sneed of the team's official site. 

ESPNDallas.com's Tim MacMahon relayed his take on the team's demeanor following Carlisle's rant: 

Since ripping off a six-game winning streak in mid-November, the Mavericks have been mired in an up-and-down struggle. Not only did they lose four of five to close out November, but they've also been an average 5-5 in December.

However, Carlisle making good on his postgame threat to jettison players would be surprising, to say the least. Despite early-season inconsistencies, the Mavericks are still fifth in the Western Conference at 15-13, and they've flashed promise despite trotting out a fairly patchwork roster. 

Also consider Dallas' most heavily used lineup consisting of Felton, Williams, Matthews, Nowitzki and Pachulia has posted a net rating of plus-15.6 points per 100 possessions, and the Mavericks can't be too upset. 

The good news is Dallas will have a golden shot to find some a rhythm Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets before hosting the Chicago Bulls on the second night of their back-to-back that begins Christmas Day in Oklahoma City. 

Frustration may have boiled over Tuesday, but there's reason to believe the Mavericks will be in fine shape so long as they can take care of business as 2015 draws to a close.

Stats courtesy of NBA.com unless noted otherwise.