Mavericks at Pistons
THE STORY: The Dallas Mavericks open a two-game road swing against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, but not before the defending NBA champs made a quick stop in Washington, D.C. The Mavericks made the traditional trip to the White House, with President Obama – an avid basketball fan – honoring their 2010-11 NBA championship. Dallas is trying to get its first victory on the road after opening 0-3 away from the American Airlines Center this season. The Pistons lost their fourth straight game to the Chicago Bulls on Monday – the second loss to the Bulls in that skid. Detroit mustered only 68 points, including a nine-point fourth quarter. The Pistons shot 39 percent and coughed the ball up 18 times. Detroit is averaging just 76 points during this four-game losing streak and comes into Tuesday playing four games in five nights, while Dallas has had two days of rest. The Mavericks have won seven of the last 10 meetings with the Pistons, dating to 2006, but lost the most recent run-in, 103-89 in Detroit last January.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET. Fox Sports SW, Fox Sports Detroit
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (4-5): The blame for the Mavericks’ road troubles falls on the offense which, after losing 104-102 to Oklahoma City, has managed totals of 82 and 71 points in losses to Minnesota and San Antonio, respectively. Dallas is averaging just 85 points away from home and shooting only 38.5 percent on opposing courts – both numbers are fourth-lowest in the NBA. The one player flourishing on the road is point guard Delonte West (12.7 ppg road/ 5.7 ppg home), who was allegedly banned from the White House, although the Secret Service denied it.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (2-7): With point guard Rodney Stuckey sidelined due to a groin injury, Detroit has put the ball in the hands of rookie Brandon Knight. The Kentucky product scored 10 points in his first start versus Philadelphia and dropped 19 points on New York on Saturday. Knight had 11 points against the Bulls on Monday, but his scoring isn’t winning over doubters. In his three games at the helm, Knight has 11 turnovers and just nine assists and needs to be a facilitator rather than a finisher.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. While Dallas has dominated recent meetings, Detroit holds a 36-25 all-time advantage over the Mavs.
2. Dallas veteran point guard Jason Kidd will sit out the two-game road trip after injuring his back versus San Antonio last Thursday.
3. The Pistons have been outscored by an average of 21.5 points during their four-game losing streak.