Mavs meet, skip practice in favor of watching entire loss

Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle had something for his team that was worse than practice. He made them watch their entire loss to the Atlanta Hawks "start to agonizing finish," according to a report from Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News.

The Mavericks had a lead, then blew it, as Kent Bazemore, rookie Trae Young and the Hawks came charging back to finish with a flurry.

"The 111-104 loss in Atlanta was, as several players said postgame, a disaster," Sefko reported. "Players talked among themselves for about 10 minutes in the locker room after the game. Coaches and team staff were taking care of their business."

The Mavericks are 2-2, but their first four opponents are a combined 6-11. They visit the Toronto Raptors on Friday night. The Mavs have some talent, no doubt -- especially with second-year point guard Dennis Smith Jr. and rookie wing sensation Luka Doncic.

But clearly, Carlisle feel they need some work on learning the game, and why they are losing.

"On Thursday, after arriving at their Toronto hotel about 2:20 a.m., the players got some rest and then Carlisle made the decision to watch the entire game film, eschewing the scheduled practice," Sefko reported.