Rick Carlisle criticized the officiating after the Dallas Mavericks' loss in Game 3 to fall to a 3-0 deficit to the Houston Rockets.

“They’re a more physical team,” Carlisle said, “but this series has got to be played within the rules.

“My hope is that in Game 4 — the one play that’s kind of an image stuck in my mind, and I just looked at it six times on the film, is the first play of the fourth quarter. We’re scrambling like hell defensively, and Devin Harris is going to get the ball, and Dwight Howard throws him into our bench.”

Mark Cuban also appeared agitated about the officiating, with Adam Silver in attendance.

“That stuff’s got to stop,” Carlisle said. “The officials [have] got to get that stuff under control, because there’s too much physical stuff going on. Howard is throwing people all over the place. And that can’t happen in Game 4.”

Josh Smith controlled the second half of the Houston Rockets' Game 2 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Smith had 13 points, six rebounds and nine assists in 20 minutes in the second half. Of those nine assists, six were on dunks and five were lobs to Dwight Howard. 

Toni Kukoc is the only other forward since 1985 to record nine or more assists as a reserve in a playoff game.

"This is why I came here," Smith told Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

K.J. McDaniels will likely miss the remainder of the season with a fractured wrist.

McDaniels was acquired by the Houston Rockets from the Philadelphia 76ers at the deadline and played sparingly. McDaniels was unlikely to play in the playoffs.

McDaniels will be a restricted free agent in the summer.

The following are the matchups for the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs.

Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors vs. 8. New Orleans Pelicans
2. Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks
3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 6. San Antonio Spurs
4. Portland Trailblazers vs. 5. Memphis Grizzlies

Eastern Conference
1. Atlanta Hawks vs. 8. Brooklyn Nets
2. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 7. Boston Celtics
3. Chicago Bulls vs. 6. Milwaukee Bucks
4. Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards

Brook Lopez and James Harden have been named the NBA's Players of the Week.

Lopez led the Nets to a 3-1 week, averaging 20.8 ppg on 59.4 percent shooting, 10.3 rpg and 2.0 bpg in 36.0 mpg. He posted two double-doubles and one 30-point game during his most recent four-game stretch. Lopez also won the award last week.

Harden averaged 36.8 points per game last week.

Dwight Howard has been on a minutes restriction since returning from resting his knee.

“It’s tough playing three, four-minute stretches and then coming out of the game,” Howard said. “There are points where I feel like I am just about to get going, then coach says ‘you’re on a minutes restriction and have to come out,’ so it is tough.”

Howard has been comfortable in his time on the floor.

“I need to be able to play more minutes,” Howard said. “I think the more games I play, the more they will change that restriction. Tonight was 20. Hopefully the next game I can go 28 and go from there.

“It’s really on me at this point. It’s about how I feel and how I am playing. I just want to be patient and sure I am ready to go for a long playoff run.”