Dallas Mavericks coach Don Nelson reacted with surprise and a chuckle Thursday morning when he awoke to footage of Indiana counterpart Isiah Thomas asserting that the Pacers' problems with referees have mushroomed since Nelson's comments to a national magazine in January.

Pacers guard Ron Artest is facing another league suspension after accruing his seventh flagrant-foul point of the season in Wednesday's loss at Philadelphia. After the defeat, Thomas asserted that the Pacers have been pinpointed by referees as a dirty team largely because Sports Illustrated quoted Nelson as saying: "He's got some beasts out there who are about to really hurt somebody."

	Thomas

	Nelson

Reached in Seattle, where the Mavericks play the Sonics on Thursday night, Nelson said: "It's comical, really. Way to step up and accept responsibility. I think that's called, 'Pass the blame.'

"I don't think I'm responsible for five flagrant fouls. I didn't know I was that powerful. I wonder why I got suspended for two games [earlier this season] if I was that powerful."

"I don't think I've sent (Artest) to anger management," Nelson added, "but if they want to blame me for something I guess it's OK."

Indiana suffered its 12th loss in 13 games Wednesday night -- and 10th straight road defeat -- in a 96-93 setback to Philadelphia. Artest picked up his second flagrant foul in a span of three games by grabbing the Sixers' Eric Snow by the hip in Wednesday's fourth quarter and yanking Snow to the floor.

Artest also served a one-game suspension Sunday after similar contact with Portland's Bonzi Wells on Saturday.

"Somehow this reputation has stuck with us," Thomas told reporters after the Philadelphia loss. "I give Don Nelson credit. He stuck it to us. The refs are definitely officiating games differently and it's costing us.

Before walking away, Thomas added: "Nellie, you're the best."

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here. Also, send Stein a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.