Cooper Flagg scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Dallas Mavericks (11-17) to a 116-114 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons (21-6) on Thursday at American Airlines Center.
Anthony Davis added 15 points, including a crucial alley-oop from Flagg in overtime, as Dallas recovered after blowing an 18-point third-quarter lead. The Mavericks have now won six of their last eight games.
Cade Cunningham recorded his third triple-double of the season with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Jalen Duren contributed 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons. Detroit played without Ausar Thompson, who was ejected late in the first half, and Duncan Robinson, who left early in the third with a knee injury.
In overtime, Davis’ dunk with 1:32 left accounted for the final points after Cunningham’s late floater missed, sealing the win for Dallas. The Mavericks capitalized on Detroit’s 18.2% 3-point shooting, hitting five of 27 from beyond the arc.
Detroit dominated second-chance points, outscoring Dallas 30-15 with 25 offensive rebounds, but turnovers and missed long-range shots hindered their comeback. Flagg, who will turn 19 on Sunday, has averaged 25.4 points over his last eight games, further establishing himself as a rising star.
Davis, who missed Dallas’ previous game with a left calf contusion, shot 7-for-18 after missing his first eight attempts, while contributing two critical rebounds in the final seconds of overtime.
The Mavericks will visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, while the Pistons host the Charlotte Hornets.
