PREVIEW
DETROIT PISTONS (18-40) AT MAVERICKS (30-26)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: Bally Sports Southwest
Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM; Univision 1270 AM (Spanish)
About the Mavericks: This is the third of a five-game home stand for the Mavs. The home stand continues with a pair of games against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, before the Mavs leave town to start a three-game road trip in Sacramento on Monday. . .The Mavs have sputtered lately as they’ve lost five of their last seven games — and are 0-2 of this home stand – right after winning a season-high five games in a row. They lost last Friday at home to the New York Knicks (117-109) and this past Sunday at home to the Sacramento Kings (121-107). . .Overall, the Mavs are just 13-14 at home this season. . .The Mavs are hoping to get off to a fast start tonight. Especially since they’re a perfect 19-0 this season – the best record in the NBA — when they’re leading after the first quarter. Of his team’s first-quarter woes, coach Rick Carlisle said: “The answer is when we don’t win first quarters usually it’s a combination of things, but what’s got to be there is our level of force and intensity, and the last couple of games we can just do better.”. .The Mavs are averaging 111.2 ppg and allowing 110 ppg, and are 13-9 against the Eastern Conference. . .Luka Doncic is averaging 28.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg and 8.7 apg, and Kristaps Porzingis averages 20.5 ppg and 9.4 rpg.
About the Pistons: Detroit is tied with Orlando for the worst record in the Eastern Conference and the third-worst record in the entire NBA. . .The Pistons have the league’s second-worst road record at 7-24, and are just 7-17 against the Western Conference. . .Coach Rick Carlisle cautions that the Mavs can’t let their foot off the gas just because they’re playing a team with a lesser won-loss record. “They’ve gone young and they’re acquiring and drafting young, hard-playing guys with skills,” Carlisle said of the Pistons. “If I’m (coach) Dwane (Casey), I’m excited about what I’m seeing. I’ve been watching these guys recently. I think they’re in a really good position. Forget the wins and losses this year. Their process is on-point.”. .This is the opener of a three-game road trip for the Pistons. The trip also includes games in San Antonio on Thursday and in Indiana on Saturday before they return home to start a two-game home stand against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday and the Mavs on April 29. . .The Pistons enter tonight’s game with wins in two of their last three games. They defeated Oklahoma City (110-104) last Friday and Cleveland (109-105) this past Monday. . .Jerami Grant (22.4 ppg), Josh Jackson (13.4 ppg) and Saddiq Bey (11.4 ppg) are the Pistons’ main players.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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