Pistons Host Mavs on Thursday
The Detroit Pistons play host to the Dallas Mavericks at Little Ceasar's Arena on Thursday.
The Mavericks (10-10) have been one of the worst road teams in the NBA, losing seven of their eight games outside of Dallas. It's hard to understand how a contender can do that, but it's no surprise since they enter this matchup losing four of their last five games. The most game was a promising win, though, beating the Golden State Warriors in a nail-biter. Luka Doncic had another vintage performance in that victory, collecting 41 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists and four steals. He's been playing like that all year, and it has the Slovenian as one of the frontrunners for MVP. It's up to him to get this team out of this slump and we know he's plenty capable of doing just that.
The Pistons (5-18) have the worst record in the NBA. That's why they landed Cade Cunningham in last year's draft with the top pick, but it doesn't look like things are getting any better. Cunningham has been out for nearly a month because of a shin issue, and no one really knows when he'll be ready to return. The worst team from last season missing their top player is a bad omen, and it has the Pistons losing 10 of their last 12 games. The most recent loss was particularly embarrassing, taking a 140-110 beatdown at the hands of the New York Knicks. This is simply one of the worst teams on both ends of the floor, and they're likely looking at another top pick.
Dallas swept the two-game season series over Detroit last year. They've won five straight games over them in total, winning all of those by double-digit margins.
The Mavericks (10-10) have been one of the worst road teams in the NBA, losing seven of their eight games outside of Dallas. It's hard to understand how a contender can do that, but it's no surprise since they enter this matchup losing four of their last five games. The most game was a promising win, though, beating the Golden State Warriors in a nail-biter. Luka Doncic had another vintage performance in that victory, collecting 41 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists and four steals. He's been playing like that all year, and it has the Slovenian as one of the frontrunners for MVP. It's up to him to get this team out of this slump and we know he's plenty capable of doing just that.
The Pistons (5-18) have the worst record in the NBA. That's why they landed Cade Cunningham in last year's draft with the top pick, but it doesn't look like things are getting any better. Cunningham has been out for nearly a month because of a shin issue, and no one really knows when he'll be ready to return. The worst team from last season missing their top player is a bad omen, and it has the Pistons losing 10 of their last 12 games. The most recent loss was particularly embarrassing, taking a 140-110 beatdown at the hands of the New York Knicks. This is simply one of the worst teams on both ends of the floor, and they're likely looking at another top pick.
Dallas swept the two-game season series over Detroit last year. They've won five straight games over them in total, winning all of those by double-digit margins.