PREMIUM
Rogers' Underdog SURPRISE >> 32-20-1 L53 NBA! $15K Hoops Run!
(NBA) Detroit vs. Dallas,
Point Spread: 5.00 | -110.00 Dallas (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 5.00 | -110.00 Dallas (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 13-13 Pistons travel to Dallas in search of a win against the Mavericks, who check in with the NBA's worst record at 6-18. However, the Mavericks are coming off arguably their best performance of the season, after beating Denver 112-92 on Monday in the opener of a quick two-game homestand. Six players scored in double figures, as Dallas scored a season-high in points in regulation and shot a season-high 58.4 percent. The Pistons sure can't the same, as they suffered a 97-79 home loss to 6-18 Philadelphia on Sunday, as the 76ers opened the game on an 18-4 run and never looked back. The 76ers and Mavs are tied for the worst record in the NBA.
Detroit: Stan Van Gundy experimented in the Philadelphia game by starting two PGs, Reggie Jackson (12.2 & 4.0 APG) and Ish Smith (9.9 & 6.1 APG, as starting SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (14.3) sat out with a knee injury. It didn't work but Van Gundy hopes to try it again in an effort to manufacture more offense.The Pistons do need to improve offensively, as they rank 25th in scoring at 99.1 PPG. However, Detroit has made up for it on the defensive end of the court, ranking 2nd overall in points allows (96.1 per).
Dallas: The Mavs have to be happy about the easy win over Denver, as it came with Dirk Nowitzki (12.2 & 6.4), Andrew Bogut (3.8 & 10.4) and J.J. Barea (16.3 & 5.4 APG) all out of the lineup. Wesley Matthews (16.5) scored a team-high 25 points to go along with four rebounds and two steals in 32 minutes. Matthews has posted at least 25 points five times in his last eight games. Rookie forward Dorian Finney-Smith, starting in place of Nowitzki, set or matched season highs in points (13), rebounds (nine), assists (three) and blocks (two) in 32 minutes. Justin Anderson and Seth Curry scored 11 and 10, respectively, off the bench. Harrison Barnes, the team's leading scorer at 20.5 PPG, scored 18 and Deron Williams (12.3 & ) added 17 points.
The pick: The Pistons have won their last two visits to Dallas after losing their previous six. Caldwell-Pope is expected back but I'm not convinced that means much. The Mavericks are showing signs of life after a dreadful 3-15 start, having split six games since. They look for their third victory in their last four games tonight against the Pistons and get it. This home dog is an 8* play.
Detroit: Stan Van Gundy experimented in the Philadelphia game by starting two PGs, Reggie Jackson (12.2 & 4.0 APG) and Ish Smith (9.9 & 6.1 APG, as starting SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (14.3) sat out with a knee injury. It didn't work but Van Gundy hopes to try it again in an effort to manufacture more offense.The Pistons do need to improve offensively, as they rank 25th in scoring at 99.1 PPG. However, Detroit has made up for it on the defensive end of the court, ranking 2nd overall in points allows (96.1 per).
Dallas: The Mavs have to be happy about the easy win over Denver, as it came with Dirk Nowitzki (12.2 & 6.4), Andrew Bogut (3.8 & 10.4) and J.J. Barea (16.3 & 5.4 APG) all out of the lineup. Wesley Matthews (16.5) scored a team-high 25 points to go along with four rebounds and two steals in 32 minutes. Matthews has posted at least 25 points five times in his last eight games. Rookie forward Dorian Finney-Smith, starting in place of Nowitzki, set or matched season highs in points (13), rebounds (nine), assists (three) and blocks (two) in 32 minutes. Justin Anderson and Seth Curry scored 11 and 10, respectively, off the bench. Harrison Barnes, the team's leading scorer at 20.5 PPG, scored 18 and Deron Williams (12.3 & ) added 17 points.
The pick: The Pistons have won their last two visits to Dallas after losing their previous six. Caldwell-Pope is expected back but I'm not convinced that means much. The Mavericks are showing signs of life after a dreadful 3-15 start, having split six games since. They look for their third victory in their last four games tonight against the Pistons and get it. This home dog is an 8* play.
