Mavericks Front Court Out Muscle Pistons In 95-90 Victory!

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

The team that was out on the floor at the Palace of Auburn Hills Sunday night just did not look like the Detroit Pistons. Yes they had on their regular uniforms and yes Rodney Stuckey was at point guard along with Ben Wallace in the middle. However with players like Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess and Chauncey Billups having departed the club and Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince both out with injuries this team looked nothing like the editions we have seen over the past few years.

The “New Look” Pistons however played very well in the first 24 minutes of play leading their opponents by 6 at the half. The Mavericks though with their own “New Look” front-court would come back and win the contest in the second half beating Detroit 95-90. Dirk Nowitzki had a team high 25 points while both Shawn Marion and Drew Gooden had 11 points each. All five Mavericks scored in double figures including rookie guard Rodrigue Beaubois who would put 14 points on the score sheet. Rodney Stuckey led all players with 28 points while Will Bynum came off the Detroit bench and added 27 more.

Dallas would hold the lead at the end of the first with the score 22-18. Detroit pulled ahead with a vengeance in the second and would walk into the locker room leading the Mavericks by a 46-40 advantage. Dallas came back in the third quarter taking their first lead at 51-49 with 8:08 remaining when Jason Kidd drove the lane putting the ball up and in.

With 1:25 left in the third Nowitzki drained an outside jumper giving his team the advantage at 65-64. The Mavericks would end the quarter with a 6-2 run and they would head into the final period leading 71-66. Detroit would make one final run as Ben Wallace laid the ball up and in and the contest was deadlocked at 78-78 with 6:31 left to play. The Pistons would get as close as 2 points down but could not get over the hurdle and Dallas would hold on for the win.

Dirk Nowitzki would put in 25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal while Rodrigue Beaubois had 14 points, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 rebound. Drew Gooden recorded a double-double with 11 points, 11 boards, 1 assist and 1 block while Shawn Marion also had 11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Jason Kidd would add 10 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals.

Rodney Stuckey led all players with 28 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists while Will Bynum came off the bench and scored 27 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. Charlie Villanueva was the only other Pistons player in double figures as he recorded a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. Dallas now has a record of 7-3 and will play Monday night in Milwaukee as they take on the Bucks. Detroit is now sitting with a 5-5 mark and they are heading to the West Coast where they will take on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Updates, Fresh From the Oven, Straight to Your Inbox