In the first matchup between these squads in Mexico City, the Pistons were still figuring it out, and the Mavericks were playing a game of Frankenstein.
Jason Kidd was attempting to mix and match parts that don’t fit, but things are steadying out for a Mavericks team a few games from play-in contention (the bottom half of the West is weak). The Pistons, on the other hand, continue to respond in games.
If you’re a non-believer, there is usually a portion of a Pistons game that would make one say, “See, I told you they aren’t for real.” Non-believers and their sentiments about the Pistons mean nothing because Detroit continues to prove they are a resilient bunch, time and time again.
Game Vitals
When: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: American Airlines Arena, Dallas, Texas
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons (-5.5)
Teams give it their best shot to go on runs and close out Detroit, but their never die attitude shines bright. The Boston Celtics trimmed the lead in the last outing, but the Pistons kept responding like a level-headed championship-level team in the closing period. Cade closed them out with a disgusting spin-around jumper. That was a moment.
The Mavericks don’t present the same issues the Celtics did. The Mavs are 24th in 3PT frequency and 28th in accuracy. The Celtics made 20 3s when they snapped the Pistons’ winning streak. The Mavs haven’t shown they have that firepower on a consistent basis.
What they can do is play through their 2025 first overall pick, Cooper Flagg. The point guard experiment has come to an end — Flagg is on the wing where he belongs, and the results have been intriguing.
Since a ballhandler began starting next to Flagg on November 5th, Flagg is averaging 20 points, six boards, four assists, 1.5 steals, and almost a block a game. The 3-point shooting hasn’t been all that, but Flagg is shooting a monster 58% from 2-point range.
It’s safe to say he’s arrived after becoming the youngest player to drop 40 bomb earlier this month. Brandon Williams and D’Angelo Russell are questionable to go in this one. Even if they don’t play, Ryan Nembhard has been plenty good as the lead ball handler.
Flagg has helped the Mavericks go from worst team in the league to play-in hopeful territory (5-5 over last 10), but they’re still the 28th-ranked offense. The Pistons stifle the best offenses, so the Mavs are in for an ugly one tonight.
Jaden Ivey’s on-ball defense was impressive against the Celtics. Ivey was sturdy and routinely stonewalled offensive players, stopping them dead in their tracks. Ivey’s active hands caused him to get his fingertips on a few balls, too.
If this is the Ivey we’re going to get post-injury, I’m all here for it — him turning into a legit on-ball pest is best for this team and his individual future.
The Mavs don’t have the creators or kick-out options to hunt suspect defenders like Boston did. That’s not to downplay Klay Thompson, who’s shot the ball much better over the last eight games (45% on 8.3 3PA). Max Christie has shot it well, too.
2012 first overall pick Anthony Davis is questionable in this one. He missed the first matchup, and we missed out on a great gauge game for Jalen Duren. Duren has cooled down a bit after his offensive surge to begin the year, but AD presents another challenge if he suits up.
There are three 1st overall picks in this game; there would be four if Kyrie Irving were active. With all the great talent and high draft picks on the floor, none compares to Cade this year. He’s been clutch, less turnover-prone, and is finally getting that star whistle.
Cade is averaging 7.5 free throws a game, which is a career high. The 4th most frequent driver in the league is finally getting awarded for his pedal-to-the-metal driving attack.
We’re close to that 5-game West Coast road trip. Detroit sits at 21-5, and teams in the East who were supposed to be contenders are cratering (Cleveland looks bad, injuries aren’t an excuse anymore)
The New York Knicks remain steady and on the Pistons’ heels, but no team has put together a better stretch of games than Detroit, and they’re just getting the whole band together. The sky is the limit.
Detroit Pistons (21-5): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Dallas Mavericks (10-17): Ryan Nembhard, Naji Marshall, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, Anthony Davis
Question of the day:
Would you be disappointed if the Pistons don’t remain the one seed in the Eastern Conference?