DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks leaned on defense to take down the Detroit Pistons, earning a split of the season series and continuing their home-court success in the matchup.
Dallas piled up 15 blocks, its most this season and tied for the fourth-most in franchise history, with five players recording multiple rejections — a rare feat not seen since 2013. The defensive pressure extended to the perimeter, where the Mavericks held Detroit to 6-of-33 shooting from three-point range (18.2%), the Pistons’ worst mark from deep in three years.
Rookie Cooper Flagg led the way with 23 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, posting the first 20-point double-double of his career and extending his streak of 15-point games to eight straight. Naji Marshall added 16 points, while Anthony Davis chipped in a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Detroit was paced by Cade Cunningham, who finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, but the Pistons couldn’t overcome Dallas’ defensive edge as the Mavericks improved to 7-1 in their last eight home games against Detroit.
