Phoenix 106, Dallas 86

(poster sales for Dirk should be through the roof in the Phoenix area this summer)

More coffee, please for the two guys on Sporting News Radio this morning who claimed that comparing Raja Bell’s presence last night to Willis Reed’s inspirational play in the 1970 NBA Finals 7th game against L.A. was “inappropriate”. In what way? While the Suns weren’t facing elimnation last night, does anyone doubt they’d have little chance of advancing were they trailing 3-1?

Wasn’t it Mark Cuban that said rivalries were good for the NBA?

 From the Arizona Republic’s Norm Fraunheim.

Two Phoenix fans filed a complaint against the wife of Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson as the result of a confrontation Tuesday night during Game 4 of the Western Conference finals at US Airways Center.

Rebecca Kettle, 32, and Jose Martinez, 34, alleged misdemeanor assault after they got into an argument with Cassandra Johnson midway through the first quarter of the Mavericks-Suns playoff game, according to arena security.

Kettle and Martinez were escorted out of the arena not long after the incident.

Players on the Dallas bench turned around and looked up into the stands when the argument started. However, Avery Johnson said he wasn’t sure what happened.

“I heard something went on,” he said after the Suns evened the series at two games with a 106-86 victory. “We’ve been in situations before on the road. (Mavericks owner Mark Cuban’s) wife has had problems. My wife. Our president (Terdema Ussery).

“You know, when you’re on the road, you know things happen. People throw stuff at you. So, we’ll see what happens. I haven’t really talked to her, yet.”

The East Valley Tribune’s Mike Tulumello has a few more details including the always welcome allegation of “f-bombs” being levelled.