The Detroit Pistons travel West to challenge the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Friday night.
The last couple of weeks have been shaky for the Dallas Mavericks with last year’s #9 overall pick and the player who was supposed to be the Mavs’ next franchise player Dennis Smith Jr. unhappy with the Mavericks. Smith had expressed disappointment over his role alongside rookie sensation Luka Doncic.
Smith returned to the Mavs lineup in their last game against the Los Angeles Clippers. He had missed the last six games, three of which in protest, and Dallas went 2-4 SU without him. With Smith back, Dallas turned back the Clippers and Smith tallied 17 points along with eight rebounds and four assists. Dallas is happy that Smith is back but with the trade deadline nearing, it remains to be seen if it’s for good. However, Smith will surely make a difference against the Pistons on Friday.
The Detroit Pistons must be very happy that former Los Angeles Clippers star forward Blake Griffin has rediscovered his All-Star form this season. Griffin is averaging 26.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 48.1% from the floor. With his season performance, Griffin is one of the favorites to make the Eastern All-Star team next month.
But even with Griffin both resurgent and healthy this season, the Pistons have not found plenty of success on the court. The Pistons are currently at 21-26 and looking at the outside but only 1.5 games behind the 8th seeded Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference standings. With games passing by very fast, Griffin and the Pistons need to build some momentum starting now.
The Pistons are 4-6 SU in their last 10 games played. Detroit is 2-4 SU in their last six road games. The Mavericks are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games played and 2-3 SU in their last five home games. Head to head, the Pistons are 3-1 SU in their last four games against the Mavericks.
Dallas appeared to have problems with Dennis Smith Jr. who missed six games, three of which because he protested his role alongside rookie Luka Doncic. In those six games, Dallas went 2-4 and it looked like Smith was headed to the trading block. But in their last game against the Clippers, Smith returned and scored 17 points to help the Mavs beat the Clippers. With Smith back, Dallas not only gets a boost on the floor but the team has perhaps solved a possible locker room problem between Smith and Doncic.
The Pistons have also made some progress as of late as the team has won four out of their last seven games after dropping 11 of its previous 19 games. While the Mavs’ recent struggles were mainly due to Smith’s absence, the Pistons have been struggling despite Blake Griffin putting up All-Star numbers.
Detroit is just 8-15 away from home while Dallas is 17-6 at the American Airlines Center. Dallas should be feeling good after taking down the Clippers. The Pistons are coming off a win over the Pelicans. I don’t like to pick either team but when forced to choose, I’ll just pick the home team especially since Dallas plays better at home. I’m picking the Dallas Mavericks to beat the Detroit Pistons.
Both the Pistons and Mavericks are 5-5 ATS each in their last 10 games played. Detroit is 3-3 ATS in their last six road games played while the Mavericks are 2-3 ATS in their last five home games played. Head to head, the Pistons are 3-1 ATS in their last four meetings versus the Mavericks.
The Pistons are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight games after an SU win, 2-5 ATS in their last seven games against teams with home records of above .600 but 5-2 ATS in their last seven games overall. The Mavericks are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games against the East, 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games after a two days rest and 14-5 ATS in their last 19 home games overall. Dallas got a big lift from Dennis Smith Jr. in their last win. With Smith back, Dallas should be better, better at home for the Pistons to beat. Prediction: Mavericks -5
The under is 8-2 in the last 10 games played by the Pistons. Detroit has seen the total go under in each of their last six road games played. The total has gone under in 8 out of the last 10 games played by the Mavericks. The under is 4-1 in Dallas’ last five home games. Head to head, the under is 4-2 in the last six meetings between the Pistons and Mavericks.
The under is 7-0 in Detroit’s last seven road games, 6-0 in their last six games when playing against Western Conference teams and also 6-1 in their last seven games when playing on one day rest. The under is likewise 7-0 in Dallas’ last seven against the East, 4-0 in their last four games versus the Central Division and 6-1 in their last seven home games against teams with losing home records. Both teams rank in the bottom 10 in teams scoring and this game should fall short of the total score set for this game. Prediction: Under 210.5
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