Mavericks at Detroit Pistons
(6 p.m., Little Caesars Arena, Detroit)
TV: Ch. 21.
Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM (Univision 1270 AM, Spanish)
About the Mavericks (34-27): It’s a chance for a winning road trip as the Mavericks went 1-1 in California with a ginormous win at Golden State making up for the poor showing at Sacramento . . . This is an odd trip, for sure, starting with two games in California, then crossing three time zones to play Detroit. The Mavericks already own a victory over the Pistons, having claimed a 127-117 victory April 21 in Dallas . . . The Mavericks now have won four of their last five and are looking to go eight games over .500 for the first time this season. They also have a two game lead in the loss column over Memphis and San Antonio, putting them in the driver’s seat for the Southwest Division title, whatever that’s worth . . . Kristaps Porzingis (left ankle) and Josh Richardson (right hamstring) both missed Tuesday’s game at Golden State . . . Luka Dončić had 39 points in 28 minutes in the blowout of the Warriors . . . Dwight Powell has shot at least 50 percent from the field in the last five games and has averaged seven rebounds in 20 minutes of playing time during the last three . . . The Mavericks are creeping up the defensive rankings. They are 19th in the league after being in the 20s virtually the entire season. They remain a top-10 team in offensive rating . . . This is their first visit to Detroit since Dec. 12, 2019. They played the Pistons in Mexico City last season, which was Detroit’s home game.
About the Pistons (19-43): They gave up on any playoff hopes long ago and have tried to get their younger players as much experience as possible. That said, they are coming off a 14-point win against Atlanta, although the Hawks’ Trae Young did not play in that game . . . They are fighting it out with Orlando to see who finishes in the basement of the Eastern Conference and collects those extra ping pong balls for the draft lottery . . . Rookies Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart and Killian Hayes all have been getting extended minutes and figure to form the foundation for the Pistons’ future. Bey, the 19th pick from last year’s draft, has averaged 11.3 points and 4.2 rebounds and shot 37.7 percent from 3-point range . . . The Pistons made forward Jerami Grant their prime free-agent target in the offseason, acquiring in a sign-and-trade with Denver with a three-year, $60-million contract. Grant has responded by nearly doubling his average points, which are up to 22.5 per game . . . Center Mason Plumlee is having the best season of his career, averaging 11.3 points and 9.3 rebounds, while shooting better than 61 percent from the floor . . . Former Maverick Dennis Smith Jr. is day to day with a knee problem while Josh Jackson also is day to day because of an illness.
Twitter: @Esefko
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