There’s just no stopping the Detroit Pistons right now. They’ve won six straight games including two against championship favorites in the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Next in their sights is a clash with another of the West’s powerhouse teams, the Dallas Mavericks. Can Dallas put a stop to the Pistons’ excellent run? Read on as we breakdown this intriguing game.
Can’t get enough of the NBA? Check out our preview of the Grizzlies vs. Hawks game between two of the hottest teams in the league.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Detroit Pistons vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
When: Wednesday, January 7, 8:30 PM ET
Line: Detroit Pistons (+10) at Dallas Mavericks (-10); total 212.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons scored four points in the final 11 seconds to rally for a 105-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe both had a double-double. Drummond had 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting as well as 17 rebounds, while Monroe 17 points and 11 rebounds. Having the two dominating the boards should pay dividends at Dallas. The Mavericks have allowed 52.7 opponent rebounds per game.
Brandon Jennings didn’t have a great day on the field Tuesday night. He hit only 5-of-18 field goal attempts (1-of-5 from the three-point line) for 13 points, but he make the all-important game-winning basket. Jennings may find himself on-point with his three-pointers against the Mavs. Dallas ranks in the bottom four of the league in three-point defense allowing 37.6 percent of opponents’ three-pointers.
Detroit shooting guard Jodie Meeks may also have a good day from downtown. He leads the Pistons with a .477 three-point field goal percentage.
The Pistons have averaged 108.4 points in their past five games going 5-0 SU/ATS in that span.
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Betting on the Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki is making a move on some of basketball’s greatest players. He scored 15 points in Dallas’ 96-88 overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday to move past Moses Malone into the No. 7 spot in the NBA all-time scoring list.
Nowitzki may struggle to make baskets against Detroit’s physical big men. The Pistons held their previous five opponents to under 45 percent shooting. However, there’s more to Dallas than the 16-year pro, Nowitzki.
Shooting guard Monta Ellis scored 19 points, including a pair of jumpers in overtime to lift the Mavs past Brooklyn. Meanwhile, Tyson Chandler should be an excellent matchup against the Pistons’ Drummond. Chandler had a double-double (14 points and 13 boards) against the Nets.
Orchestrating the Mavs’ offense is former Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. Rondo was a disastrous 1-for-13 shooting against the Nets, but he still contributed largely in other aspects of the game with 10 rebounds and 14 assists. Rondo’s ability to find the open man should be highlighted against Detroit. The Pistons are allowing 23.3 assists per game, 24th in the league. A balanced attack may be what Dallas needs to lift them past the Pistons.
The Mavs are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against Detroit.
Writer’s Prediction
The Mavs share the ball around en route to a win over Detroit. However, the Pistons hang tough to cover +10.
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