Cuban tiptoes around subjects

Mark Cuban had to love it. He was surrounded by reporters before tonight's game and most of the questions were about what he plans to do with his team in the off-season.

And he quickly said that "no decisions we make will be based off this series. Or hopefully the next series or the series after that. It'll be an interesting summer regardless.''

He wouldn't say anything about Rick Carlisle, but it's hard to envision any scenario where his job security would be at risk. Cuban basically said as much when he said of his coach: "It's not something we'll evaluate now. It's not something we'll evaluate this summer. It won't change anything. It'll be the same as every summer.''

Mostly, Cuban bristled about the line of questioning about off-season maneuverings. And justifiably so, really.

"I'm not ready to talk about the summer,'' he said. "You guys are talking like this season is over and we're down. I mean, I know it's hard for you guys to come up with something original. But we haven't lost. We got every shot to win this game, go down there and win and then come back here.''