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bstein14 wrote:This could be a letdown game after such a big convincing win over Boston

Master Shake wrote:I got the Pistons in this one.

Detroit: 104
Dallas: 99

Starters log more heavy minutes, and Maxiell eats Juwan Howard.

ppp000 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



? Juwan Howard barely plays

ajaX82 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



He doesnt need to play to get eaten

Dallas' remarkable 67-win season a year ago came to an abrupt ending before it really got started, as the upstart Golden State Warriors eliminated the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs. No NBA team had ever been knocked out of the first round of the playoffs after finishing the regular season with the best overall record until the Mavericks achieved the dubious honor. So after spending most of last season chasing history, the Mavericks wound up making it -- although this clearly wasn't what they had in mind.Suffering such an unexpected setback has given this team a different perspective in approaching this season, with an emphasis on not relying as much on reigning league MVP Dirk Nowitzki. "We try to win every game," Mavs coach Avery Johnson told the Dallas Morning News. "But we want more help from our bench so we won't have to overuse Dirk every single game."

The Pistons have taken on a similar mantra of developing their bench this season. And like Dallas, Detroit's approach was in some ways aided by the disappointment of a great regular season ending sooner than expected. After winning a franchise record 64 games during the 2004-2005 season, the Pistons were upset by eventual NBA champion Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals. "They were like we were two years ago, when they were striving for those 70 wins," Saunders said. "Now they're more of the idea of looking at what's at the end of the playoffs. So they're playing different lineups, different people, trying to put themselves in a situation to be ready to have that success in the postseason."

Saunders was not at practice on Tuesday because his son Ryan, was having shoulder surgery. Practice was run by assistant Terry Porter. ... Lindsey Hunter is expected to travel with the team during this four-game road trip. Saunders said no decision has been made on whether to activate Hunter, who did not travel with the team to Washington and Toronto last week. ... Billups needs to make one 3-pointer to pass Hunter for the No. 2 spot on the Pistons' all-time leaders list in 3-pointers made. They are tied at 789.

Pistons#1 wrote:Jeez, I knew that we were due for a tough stretch of games. Thank god this one is on national TV.

Pistons assistant coach Terry Porter said the Mavericks and Spurs are two very different teams, something that will test the Pistons in different ways. But for now, only the Mavericks are on the radar. "They're playing really well, and they're obviously one of the best teams in the West," Porter said. "You have to go out and face a quality, playoff-caliber team on the road. So it's going to be a good challenge."

The Mavericks are getting stronger as the season wears on. They're chasing the Spurs for first place in the Southwest Division, only a half-game out of first.

They're also tough to beat at the American Airlines Center, with a 16-3 home record. All-Star Dirk Nowitzki has been on a tear, scoring at least 19 in the Mavericks last 10 games. The Pistons will have to choose how they want to match up with Nowitzki, as he can beat double-teams down low and knock down long-distance jumpers. "I think he's in a really good groove," Porter said. "He's knocking down shots, making difficult matchups for opponents and taking advantage of them."

And so it appears the Mavericks have dodged a bullet on the injury front. Coach Avery Johnson said Dampier and Jerry Stackhouse (right thumb) both were cleared to play tonight against the Pistons.

After losing to Boston on Saturday, they hit the road for four games, beginning with Dallas tonight and San Antonio on Thursday. "I think the thing that's most important is we're going on the road for a while, so hopefully going into the road trip we'll have our mind-set right," forward Tayshaun Prince said.

At 23-11, Dallas is one of the league's elite teams. The Mavericks have continued to play well while integrating more players into their rotation; 11 players have been in the starting lineup because of injuries and tinkering.

After a slow start, reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki has averaged 26.2 points per game since Dec. 16. Pistons assistant coach Terry Porter said Nowitzki's sluggish start can be attributed to last year's playoff disappointment, in which the top-seeded Mavs were upset by Golden State in the first round. After that, Nowitzki said he went weeks without touching a basketball. But now he's playing like the same old Dirk. "I think right now he's hit a very good groove. The team has hit a very good groove, and he's playing the way he did last year," Porter said."He's just knocking down shots, making difficult matchups for opponents and taking advantage of them. They've always wanted to be a transition team, a team that gets up and down and gets into the open court."