Mavericks owner Mark Cuban didn't have to go far to get an official explanation this time.

He only had to look two rows up into the stands at American Airlines Center to voice his objection regarding the referees' rescinding of their ejection of Sacramento's Bobby Jackson for throwing a punch.

Stu Jackson, the NBA's senior vice president of basketball operations, watched Jackson land a punch on Dirk Nowitzki's arm in the second quarter. But he said officials made the right call in reducing Jackson's penalty to a technical foul.

Jackson and Nowitzki tangled after Nowitzki attempted a baseline jumper.

Nowitzki gave a forearm shove to separate himself from a grabbing Jackson, and Jackson landed a soft right punch on Nowitzki's arm.

Referee Bob Delaney immediately ran between the two players and signaled Jackson's ejection.

But after the three referees conferred at midcourt, they downgraded Jackson's penalty.

Cuban asked for an explanation from Stu Jackson at halftime.

"Just because he doesn't know how to throw a punch doesn't mean he didn't throw a punch," Cuban said.

Responded Stu Jackson: "He did the right thing."