Mavericks vs Pistons Prediction NBA Picks 3/9/24

Detroit Pistons (10-52) vs Dallas Mavericks (35-28)

Game Info: Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Little Caesars Arena)

Betting Odds: Detroit Pistons +7.5 -- Over/Under: 238

The Dallas Mavericks and the Detroit Pistons duke it out at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday night. Here’s a Mavs vs Pistons Prediction.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks have been in a slump as they've lost five of their last seven games overall, but they will be feeling much better after putting a halt to a three-game skid with a 114-108 win over the Heat on Thursday. Luka Doncic led the team with a triple-double of 35 points with 11 rebounds and 11 assists, Kyrie Irving added 23 points while Dante Exum chipped in with 13 points and five assists off the bench. As a team, the Mavericks shot 46 percent from the field and 16 of 41 from the 3-point line as they had to work their way back from an early 15-point deficit, before they exploded for 37 points in the third quarter to take the lead for good. Tim Hardaway Jr had a rough game as he shot just three of 11 from the field, while Daniel Gafford provided a spark with 12 points on five of five shooting. The Mavericks will take on the Bulls after this one.

Detroit Pistons

Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons have been in terrible shape as they've lost nine of their last 11 games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after snapping a three-game slide with a 118-112 win over the Nets on Thursday. Jaden Ivey drained six 3-pointers to lead the team with 34 points on 10 of 17 shooting, Jalen Duren added 32 points with 11 assists while Ausar Thompson chipped in with 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists. As a team, the Pistons shot 52 percent from the field and 12 of 30 from the 3-point line as they leaked 41 points in the second quarter to squander an early 15-point lead, before they caught fire in the third quarter to pull off the unlikely win at home where they are now 5-25 SU on the season.

Detroit Pistons Player Facts

• Jalen Duren ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (11.8) this season.
• Cade Cunningham ranks 3rd in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for assists per game (7.5) this season.

Dallas Mavericks Player Facts

• Daniel Gafford ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (69.3%) this season.
• P.J. Washington is one of only two players to have scored 40+ points off the bench in a game this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pistons rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.2).
• The Pistons rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (8.8).
• The Mavericks rank 2nd in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (4.0).
• The Mavericks rank 2nd in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (40.0).

Mavs vs Pistons Prediction

The Mavericks are still shorthanded with Dereck Lively listed as out and Luka Doncic listed as questionable, while the Pistons are still missing Quentin Grimes. The Mavericks were struggling for a while there, but they looked great in their comeback win over the Heat on Thursday, while the Pistons were absolutely ice-cold before they pulled off an impressive win over the Nets in their last outing. Be sure to check the lineups before tipoff, but even if Doncic isn't able to suit up, I prefer a play on the Mavericks to get the job done on the road against this Pistons squad with nothing to play for.

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.