Detroit at Dallas
Time: 7:30 PM ET, Jan 26, 2014
Spread: DAL -6.5
M/L: DAL -275; DET +235
Total: 213
Betting Odds courtesy of Bovada
The Dallas Mavericks are situated eighth in the Western Conference with a 25-20 record and will play host to the 17-26 Detroit Pistons Sunday night. NBA oddsmakers at Bovada are favoring the Mavericks by 6.5-points in the matchup.
Dallas has gone 5-5 over its past 10 contests and the Mavs have been good at home this season, 14-7. The Pistons have been particularly bad on the road at 7-15.
Dallas is led by future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk averages 21 points and 5.9 rebounds per game this season thus far. Free agent acquisition Monta Ellis has been a big part of the Mavs success, and the former Warrior is averaging 19.9 points and six assists per game in nearly 37 minutes a night. Jose Calderon, Vince Carter and Shawn Marion have all been solid vets for the Mavs and all average double-figure scoring this season.
The Pistons are trying to put the talent together to form a winning team. Joe Dumars signed Josh Smith to a max-contract this summer, and the frontcourt of Smith, Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe is about as strong as any trio in the league.
Brandon Jennings must take charge of the talent on the team and be a leader. Jennings leads the team in scoring with 16.6 points per game and he dishes out 8.2 assists per game, as well.
Drummond has blossomed a lot in year two, and is averaging 12.8 points and 12.8 rebounds per game. Monroe must assume a larger role in the offense. The Georgetown product is averaging just 14.3 points per game while connecting on 50 percent of his shots. Monroe must attempt closer to 15 shots per game, not 11.2 as he currently is.
DET Trends: 4-0 ATS in last 4 vs teams with home winning percentages over .600; 0-4 ATS in last 4 when opponent allows 100 or more in previous game; 0-4 ATS in last 4 after scoring 100 or more in previous game.
DAL Trends: 7-1 ATS in last 8 on 1 days rest; UNDER 7-1 in last 8 vs teams with winning percentages below .400; 4-1 ATS in last 5 after allowing 100 or more in previous game.
Head-to-head: OVER 7-2 in last 9 meetings.
