SALT LAKE CITY -- Stressed by his team's 6-19 record and a rash of injuries, Rick Carlisle could use some good news.
He got a small morsel this week.
Carlisle, like all coaches, dislikes back-to-back games and is especially put-off by having four games in five nights, which happens for the only time this season for the Mavericks in between Christmas and New Year's Day.
It appears those difficult scheduling moments will ease up with the new collective-bargaining agreement, which has been tentatively agreed upon by the players association and the NBA. It must be ratified by both sides, but that is expected to happen before next month's deadline.