By the way, the box score seems to indicate that the Pistons bench actually played slightly more minutes than Dallas's subs. Perhaps largely due to Nazr playing only about 20 minutes, but each team had three starters in the 37-40 minute range: CB-Rip-Tay, Dirk-Terry-Howard. Sheed played 33 minutes. Also, both teams had 9 players in double figure minutes.

Not that Flip's bench usage is the same as Avery's or anything--Dirk and Terry are the only two Mavs averaging more than 30 minutes this season--but there was some bi$%^ing in the chat about that very subject right when Avery started going to his bench midway through the first quarter, and yet the overall balance of minutes played in the game between bench and starters was almost exactly the same for both teams tonight.