The NBA has made an effort to crack down on flopping with official warnings and fines for several seasons now, but players continue to embellish contact when they feel like it gives them an edge. For the most part, that's because it works. A stern lecture and minor fine aren't going to stop them from doing what it takes to win.

For proof, just look at the final minute of regulation in Tuesday's game between the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks at Sleep Train Arena. With 21 seconds on the clock and the game tied at 99-99, DeMarcus Cousins was called for an offensive foul while attempting to win better post position against Tyson Chandler. Another look at the play — or even a first look from any angle other than that of referee Lauren Holtkamp — proved that Chandler's head did not jerk back due to any contact from Cousins:

It was Cousins's sixth foul, disqualifying the Kings' best player by far on a night when he already had 32 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists (plus nine turnovers) in 40 minutes. Monta Ellis missed a potential game-winner on the ensuing possession to maintain the tie and bring about overtime, but the damage had been done. Without Cousins, the Kings scored just five points in the extra period on their way to a 108-104 loss. It also didn't help that head coach Tyrone Corbin did not have his team foul for 11 full seconds in a 104-103 game with only a few seconds difference between the shot and game clocks.

While the absence of Cousins can't have caused all the Kings' issues in overtime it sure played a big part. Akis Yerocostas of Sactown Royalty summed up the effect of Chandler's flop pretty well:

Tyson Chandler just paid $5000 to win a game basically. — Akis Yerocostas (@Aykis16) January 14, 2015

Well, it would be more accurate to say that Chandler accepted a forthcoming warning in exchange for the win, because he hasn't been officially notified for a flop yet this season. That seems like a pretty good trade.

- - - - - - -

Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at efreeman_ysports@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @FreemanEric