The Detroit Pistons (21-5) visit the Dallas Mavericks (10-17) on Thursday, December 18, at 8:30 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center. Detroit is riding a four-game winning streak, while Dallas looks to bounce back after a 133-140 loss at Utah.
The Pistons will be without Isaac Jones, Bobi Klintman, Chaz Lanier, Wendell Moore Jr., and Tolu Smith, all on G League assignments or two-way contracts.
Cade Cunningham is expected to spearhead Detroit’s offense, averaging 27.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game. Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren add 14.3 and 18.0 points per contest, respectively, with Duren pulling down 11.0 rebounds on average. Duncan Robinson and Ausar Thompson provide perimeter scoring, while Isaiah Stewart contributes 10.2 points and 6.0 rebounds off the bench.
Dallas enters with several players in question or out: Anthony Davis is questionable with a left calf contusion, D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Williams are both listed as questionable, while Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum, and Dereck Lively II are sidelined.
Cooper Flagg leads the Mavericks with 18.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. P.J. Washington and Anthony Davis provide frontcourt scoring, averaging 16.2 and 20.0 points per game, respectively. Klay Thompson and Max Christie deliver perimeter shooting, with Thompson contributing 11.1 points per contest.
The Pistons won the first matchup this season on November 1, defeating Dallas 122-110 in Mexico City.
