rick carlisle

Flip Saunders doesn't sound like a coach worried about his future. The Boston Celtics won Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, pushing the Detroit Pistons to the brink of elimination and a possible shake up.

Saunders has already outlasted his predecessors, Larry Brown and Rick Carlisle, both of whom lasted just two years.

Rick Carlisle will be the new coach of the Dallas Mavericks, a decision expected for nearly a week but slowed by contract negotiations.

The papers aren't signed yet, but team owner Mark Cuban confirmed in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Friday night that a verbal deal is in place.

The contract "will be signed tomorrow (Saturday)," with a news conference Wednesday because Cuban will be out of...