Riley: Refs biased against Heat

Miami – Miami Heat coach Pat Riley didn’t back down Saturday, a day after he blasted officials for a blown call and a disparity at the free-throw line against the New York Knicks.

Riley remained adamant that his team is being penalized because of some referees’ “dislike for me over the years.”

“If there’s not a compelling story here from the standpoint of what we have gathered over the course of 23 games, I wouldn’t say anything because I’ve taken the good with the bad,” Riley said before the Heat hosted Golden State on Saturday night.

“I rarely ever, ever, ever, speak out or complain about it. But this is too compelling, and it has to be addressed. Period. And it’s going to be addressed.”

The Heat have attempted 219 fewer free throws than their opponents this season, including 21 less than the Knicks on Friday.

Nowitzki still nursing sprained right ankle

Dallas – Dirk Nowitzki didn’t play against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, the second straight game the Dallas Mavericks were without their leading scorer and rebounder.

Nowitzki underwent extensive therapy and massages on his sprained right ankle and was listed as game-time decision. An hour before tipoff, coach Don Nelson said it would come down to how the doctor, trainer and Nowitzki felt about it.

“It’s more of a pain thing,” Nelson said. “They can wrap it up and he wouldn’t re-sprain it.”