Via: Dallas News

League tampering rules prohibit teams from contacting or talking about another team’s personnel, but an NBA source said Detroit’s Flip Saunders is believed to be a coach the Mavericks would have interest in should he part ways with the Pistons after the team’s playoff run.

That’s a step up from the Minnesota Golden Gophers. So, the Pistons continued success in the postseason keeps Flip from becoming Mark Cuban’s puppet. Anyhow, it’s gotta feel good for Flip to have his name to come up for a high-profile gig after all the bashings he takes when the ‘Stonz underwhelm the fans.

But then again…

If the Mavs had waited on Flip Saunders, only to find out that he wouldn’t end up being freed by Detroit, they might have lost out on “sure thing’’ Rick Carlisle. DallasBasketball.com learned late Friday that Carlisle will be the Mavs’ next head coach, and the dynamics involved in the availability of those two candidates is a primary reason why.

“It’s safe to say it’s going to happen,’’ a source told us late Friday. “Rick’s the guy.’’

Rick Carlisle is not the perfect pick. The Mavs know that.

This is not “Mr. Right.’’ This is “Mr. Right Now.’’

The Pistons and Magic start their best of seven second round playoff series tonight at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The game tips at 7:30 EST and will be a nationally televised TNT game.

The first round took us all by surprise. Hats off to the 76ers, but I’m glad we got our act together after halftime of game four and finally started playing some Detroit Basketball. Let’s hope it’s here to stay so we don’t have to deal with the drama that goes along with the Pistons playing below their capabilities.

Now, on to round two where we’re set to play the Magic who dispensed the Toronto Raptors in 5 games.

I’m really confident about our Pistons in this round. We matchup much more favorably than we did to Philadelphia’s runners. Despite the season series being split at two games a piece we have a history of having Orlando’s number which includes sweeping them out of last years playoffs.

Rasheed Wallace plays his best against the best. Dwight Howard has been the best. He averaged 22 points and 18 boards against the Raps, but don’t expect him to do that against Wallace who plays perhaps the best D on Dwight in the league.

You also have to like our backcourt of Billups and Hamilton against Orlando’s Jameer Nelson and former Piston Maurice Evans. With the way Tayshaun has been playing it doesn’t bode well for the Magic’s Hedo Turkoglu, although Hedo gives Tayshuan a much different defensive look than Andre Iguodala did.

Looking into the crystal ball I’ll take our guys in 6. GO PISTONS!

• Round 2 schedule
• Jason Maxiell will continue to start, bringing Antonio McDyess off the bench