(Sports Network) - The Dallas Mavericks hope to continue their recent mastery
of the Detroit Pistons when the two clubs collide Friday at The Palace.
The Mavericks have won two in a row, seven of eight and 14 of the past 20
encounters with Detroit, which suffered a 92-77 beatdown in Big D on Dec. 1
this season.
Dallas has won two of three games overall since a three-game slide and is
fresh off Wednesday's 112-108 triumph over the rival Houston Rockets. Dirk
Nowitzki and Shawn Marion each scored 22 points and O.J. Mayo added 13 points,
a career-high 12 assists and six rebounds.
"Shawn (Marion) had a great all-around game. We needed his points early and
throughout the whole game he did a tremendous job on (James) Harden," Mavs
coach Rick Carlisle said. "Harden had a lot of points, but at the end of the
game, Shawn was the guy who got the key stops."
The Mavericks will begin a four-game road trip Friday and are 10-21 as the
visitor this season. In injury news for Dallas, guard Anthony Morrow is
doubtful Friday with a balky hip.
Detroit has dropped three in a row and six of seven games, including
Wednesday's 87-77 loss to the New York Knicks. Knicks All-Star Carmelo Anthony
didn't even play because of a knee issue.
Brandon Knight ended with 17 points for the Pistons, who went 0-4 against the
Knicks this season and have lost seven straight overall in the series. Jason
Maxiell and Kyle Singler donated 14 and 13 points, respectively.
The Pistons were without head coach Lawrence Frank (personal) and Greg Monroe
(ankle). Assistant coach Brian Hill took over for Frank.
"I told our guys after the game that I have nothing negative to say," Hill
said. "I thought we played some difficult lineups out there tonight. I thought
they gave us every ounce of energy that they could possibly give us."
Monroe is questionable for Friday's game and Charlie Villanueva (hamstring) is
listed as probable versus the Mavericks. Monroe leads Detroit with 16.1 points
and 9.5 rebounds this season, and has three double-doubles in his last five
games played.
Detroit, which is winless in four straight at home, is 15-19 as the host this
season and will begin a four-game western road trip Sunday against the Los
Angeles Clippers.
The Sports Network