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Carlisle likens Mavs' poor play to Trump's debate skills

Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

After falling behind by as much as 18 points in the first quarter of Wednesday's preseason contest, Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle had trouble keeping a positive outlook following the game.

Frustrated with his team's effort, Carlisle used a timely analogy to describe Dallas' play in the opening quarter.

"The beginning of the game was abominable," the Mavericks' bench boss told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. "It was a Donald Trump debate performance. Really, it was bad."

While Dallas picked it up in the second half, their starters once again looked shaky, which could be a sign of things to come during the upcoming season.

Harrison Barnes - who signed a max contract this summer - continued his struggles from the field, finishing with just eight points on 1-of-9 shooting.

The Mavericks will play one more preseason game Friday before their 2016-17 campaign tips off Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers.

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