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The Mavs missed backup center Brendan Haywood, who sat out because of a hip flexor he suffered in Game 2. Haywood’s replacement, third-year veteran Ian Mahinmi, struggled with two points, one rebound and five fouls in eight minutes of action. “Not having Haywood made it tougher for us because he’s a regular rotation guy,’’ coach Rick Carlisle said. “I thought Mahinmi’s energy was good – at times maybe a little too energetic – but that was to be expected. “We’ll see how Brendan is for Game 4, and that’s a day-and-a-half away now.’’ Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Brendan Haywood, Injuries 

The Dallas Mavericks still don't know if Brendan Haywood will play in tonight's Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The 7-foot backup center will be a game-time decision with a right hip flexor injury that he sustained in the fourth quarter of Game 2, coach Rick Carlisle said Sunday morning. His participation in Saturday's practice was limited to spot shooting and free throws. He spent the rest of the session doing conditioning work in a pool and on an exercise bike. "Still feeling a little tight," Haywood said as he went to get treatment during Sunday morning's shootaround. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Brendan Haywood, Injuries 

Michael Lee: Brendan Haywood said hip hurts when sprinting: "Like if LeBron were to take off & I tried to catch him - I probably couldn’t do that anyway" Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Brendan Haywood, Injuries 

Mavericks center Brendan Haywood was always a fan of Shaquille O'Neal, and not just because the 15-time All-Star center once offered him a loan. “I remember meeting him on the elevator my rookie year and he asked me, 'Are you good? Is your family good? Do you need any money?”' Haywood said. “I was like, 'No, I'm good Shaq, but thanks for offering.”' Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Shaquille O'Neal, Brendan Haywood 

Backup center Brendan Haywood left the game with 11:34 remaining with a strained right hip flexor. Haywood, who played just 8 minutes, did not return. Team officials said his injury was nothing serious. Shooting guard Jason Terry participated with a bone bruise on his right wrist and received treatment during the game. He wore a brace on his wrist at the start of the second half while sitting on the bench but removed it once he entered the game. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Brendan Haywood, Injuries, Jason Terry 

As Dallas Mavericks players and coach Rick Carlisle lined up to declare their indifference for or to feign complete ignorance of "The Decision" and the Miami Heat's dastardly plan to stockpile superstars, one player stepped forward to speak the truth. "I had to [pay attention]," center Brendan Haywood said. "I was a free agent myself. No one signed until he signed." He, of course, is LeBron James, the most sought-after free agent in NBA history. During the prolonged courtship between several select franchises fortunate enough to meet with the King, Heat president Pat Riley visited Haywood at his Charlotte, N.C., home shortly after Mavs coach Rick Carlisle met Haywood there at the opening bell of the free agency period and promised him the starting job. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Brendan Haywood 

Haywood has been characterized by perceived sulking or brooding over his last season and a half in Dallas, but he’s understandably easy in moments like this one. He talks about wanting to be the back-up center on a team headed to the Finals rather than relishing in a role with more playing time or more touches. He jokes candidly about his words being taken out of their original context prior to Game 5, words which he notes as being more light-hearted than they appeared in text. He’s not just a flagrant fouling machine, but an interesting — if occasionally abrasive, for better and worse — voice within the team. He’s just buried beneath Terry’s charisma, Dirk Nowitzki’s quiet charm, and Jason Kidd’s veneration. Haywood may not always give some writers exactly what they want to hear for their pre-penned stories, but if you ask the right questions and listen closely, Haywood has a lot to offer. The Two Man Game

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Brendan Haywood 

Dwain Price: "I have a reputation of being the guy you want to foul. So every time I go to the basket teams just hack me.'' -- Mavs C Brendan Haywood Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Brendan Haywood 

Brendan Haywood laughed off a question about Peja Stojakovic defending Kevin Durant after the Mavs’ Game 3 win. “Oh, man, I’m not even touching that one again,” Haywood said. “Peja is my guy. I love Peja to death, but we probably want to have D-Steve [DeShawn Stevenson] or Shawn Marion on [Durant].” ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Brendan Haywood, Peja Stojakovic 

Coach Rick Carlisle declined to comment directly about big man Brendan Haywood’s pointed criticism of the Mavs’ perimeter D – and particularly Peja Stojakovic’s work – in the first two games of the series. “I just don’t think that would be wise,” Carlisle said, noting that he had not heard the quotes or seen Haywood’s body language while delivering them. Carlisle also declined to discuss whether it’s accurate to pinpoint perimeter defense as one the Mavs’ biggest problems against the Thunder, who have lit it up for an average of 109 points against a team that didn’t give up triple digits in the first two rounds of the playoffs. “Instead of getting into a [expletive] throw about whose fault it is,” Carlisle said, “what we’re going to do is circle the wagons and find a way to be better.” ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Brendan Haywood, Peja Stojakovic, Rick Carlisle 

Don't try telling Dallas Mavericks center Brendan Haywood that the window is closing on Dirk Nowitzki's chances of winning an NBA title. He's not buying it. "The window looks real open to me,'' Haywood said after Friday's practice. "The window's open, the shades are up, the wind's blowing through, it's sunny outside. "Look what the guy does every night. He's the type of guy that his game was never built on athleticism. It's built on skill, so guys like that can play longer and play at a higher level for a long period of time.'' Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Brendan Haywood 

There were no repercussions from the NBA office about Thursday night’s dust-up in LA, except for good news in regard to Jason Terry. The league has downgraded Terry’s action to a Flagrant Foul, Penalty One (lowered from a Penalty Two). Terry pushed Steve Blake with 9:23 to play, and referee Joey Crawford issued a Flagrant, Penalty Two. While that foul was downgraded, the ejections stood. Brendan Haywood said he was surprised at his ejection. “I didn’t do anything,’’ he said. “I just tried to step in front of guys and put my arms up.’’ Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Matt Barnes, Steve Blake, Brendan Haywood, Jason Terry 

Dallas Mavericks center Brendan Haywood is expected to play Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs, coach Rick Carlisle said. Haywood has missed the past two games with lower-back stiffness. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Brendan Haywood, Injuries 

Chris Sheridan: A.Stoudemire's technical foul (along with B.Haywood's) has been rescinded by the NBA. He will play Sunday. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Amare Stoudemire, Brendan Haywood 

The NBA has announced that the double technicals delivered to Dallas Mavericks center Brendan Haywood and New York Knicks center Amare Stoudemire have been rescinded. The big men were hit with Ts at the 9:37 mark of the second quarter after a brief soiree near midcourt. The league's decision is a much bigger deal for Stoudemire. The technical was his 16th of the season, the league limit which comes with a one-game suspension. He would have been ineligible to play Sunday against Indiana. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Amare Stoudemire, Brendan Haywood 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Miami has been trying to pry Brendan Haywood, offering Mike Miller as part of package, but Mavs have consistently resisted, source says. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Trade, Mike Miller, Brendan Haywood 

You probably won't be surprised to hear that there is essentially no external interest bubbling for Brendan Haywood, given that this is Year 1 on a contract with $41.7 million guaranteed over five years and the swiftness with which Haywood (shooting 25.5 percent from the free- throw line) has fallen behind Tyson Chandler in the Mavs' pecking order. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Trade, Brendan Haywood 

I’ve likewise been assured in the strongest terms that Houston, even after losing Yao Ming to a potentially career-ending setback, is not looking at Haywood as a potential replacement and has made that clear to the Mavs, despite what has been reported in some precincts locally. "Less than zero interest" is the way one source with knowledge of the Rockets' thinking jokingly described it. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Trade, Yao Ming, Brendan Haywood 

The Mavericks, the Rockets, Brendan Haywood and Kevin Martin – On Friday, DallasBasketball.com cited two sources in reporting that the center-starved Rockets (possibly facing life without Yao Ming) are “eyeing’’ Mavs center Brendan Haywood. Maybe not coincidentally, we reported that the Mavs “covet’’ Houston’s Kevin Martin. Those aren’t trade talks. … not yet. But Dallas’ involvement here is indicative of owner Mark Cuban’s endless push for his team to be “the next big thing.’’ But there needs to be deep evaluation of change here. Nelson says, “One of our top intentions is to not mess with an incredible chemistry,’’ and who can blame him? Dallas is 21-5 and has won 14 of 15. Scout.com

Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Trade, Brendan Haywood, Kevin Martin 

"Haywood's situation is a little different this year," Carlisle explained. "His minutes haven't been as high because he's been coming off the bench. Generally speaking, I like the way he's played. There are times when he influences the game positively when he doesn't necessarily have a lot of stats. Systematically he has to approach the game the same way all the time, and we have our scouting stuff to help with tendencies of the opponent. We want him to be big and physical and he's done that." HoopsWorld

Dallas Mavericks, Brendan Haywood, Rick Carlisle