The Dallas Mavericks lost their third consecutive game on Wednesday night to the last-place team in the NBA’s Western Conference New Orleans Pelicans 119-116. The nature of the defeat is what drew attention, however.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said the refs "clearly" missed a goaltending call on Spencer Dinwiddie's layup for the lead in the closing seconds of Wednesday's loss to the Pelicans.

Dejounte Murray scored 30 points, Trey Murphy III had a disputed block of Spencer Dinwiddie’s layup for the lead with 4 seconds left and the New Orleans Pelicans outlasted the injury-depleted Dallas M

But this was one of those eyebrow-raising moments that gives even more credence to the belief that referees should be fined for missed calls or poor judgment. New Orleans had the ball with around 15 seconds on the clock and a one-point lead.

Dejounte Murray lit the Mavericks up for 30 points, and Trey Murphy III wasn't far behind with 24. Neither was entirely efficient from the floor, but they made enough shots to sink the Mavs. Dallas' starters just weren't good enough, which is where we'll start our three takeaways.

Murphy’s block of Spencer Dinwiddie’s layup attempt with four seconds left sealed the Pelicans' 119-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center. The Mavericks embarrassed the Pelicans back in November, handing Willie Green’s team its worst loss of the season.

Dejounte Murray scored 30 points, Trey Murphy III added 24 and a game-saving blocked shot and the host New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Dallas Mavericks 119-116 on Wednesday night.

T onight, two teams whose seasons thus far have been devastated by injury will take the court as the Dallas Mavericks travel to take on the New Orleans Pelicans. These woes will c