Detroit Pistons vs. Dallas Mavericks Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/8/2022

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

Where to watch: BSSW-DAL, BSDET

DraftKings: Mavericks -10

BetMGM:  NL

Caesars: NL

Pistons: 12-41

Mavericks: 31-23

If there's one team that you need to watch over the course of the next week really, it's the Dallas Mavericks. Not only are we talking about a team that is playing as well as any in the league right now and will be a force in the Western Conference should they keep up this play, but they might be the most interesting team coming up on next week's trade deadline.

But before The Mavericks can think about what they want to do at the deadline and who they want to add or who they want to keep, the game of basketball stops for nobody and The Mavericks will be at home to take on the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

And given how Dallas has played over the past number of weeks, and has seen to found an identity with head coach Jason Kidd, you should absolutely think about taking the Mavericks no matter how crazy the spread might be at its opening, which is looking to be in the double digits.

After two disgruntled losses to the Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder this past week, The Mavericks have rebounded in an emphatic way with home victories against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Atlanta Hawks.

And perhaps no player has forced himself into the conversation for Most Valuable Player in such a short amount of time then Luka Doncic. the Dallas All Star over his last 13 games has been absolutely dominant. Doncic since January 14th is averaging 28.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists while shooting 46 percent from the floor.

In the last six games alone, Doncic has been on a ridiculous tear scoring 28 points per game and averaging 12 assists per contest. Not to mention the fact that he's shooting almost 49% from the floor, and making 37% of his three point attempts.

Doncic did not shoot the ball well in Sunday's victory over the Atlanta Hawks, but did record his third triple double in four games with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in the Mavs’ ninth win in 12 games.

The Mavericks have also been very good on the books, going 5-3 in their last eight against the spread and having covered their last two despite being underdogs. Dallas is playing great basketball at the right time and they’ve bought into Kidd’s schemes, something that seemed unfathomable at one point this season.

Detroit continues to struggle with losses in eight of its last nine, but has gone 5-4 against the spread in that run despite a 1-3 run in the last four. The Pistons are coming off a 118-105 loss at the Minnesota Timberwolves despite not having No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham in the lineup. Even though the Pistons had six in double figures, so did the Timberwolves, and their depth scoring was expectedly better.

If this comes down to an offensive performance, the Mavs have the edge. The over has gone in seven of Detroit’s last eight against a team with a winning record. And even though the Pistons are 5-1 against the spread in their last six road games against teams with winning home records, no one’s stopping Luka right now. Sure, there may be times, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Mavericks by 14

The under is 20-7 in Mavericks home games this season.

The under is 23-9 ats when the Mavericks are off an under.

PG: Cory Joseph

SG: Frank Jackson
SF: Saddiq Bey
PF: Jerami Grant
C: Isaiah Stewart

PG: Luka Doncic

SG: Jalen Brunson
SF: Dorian Finney-Smith
PF: Reggie Bullock
C: Dwight Powel

PIstons: Cade Cunninhgam (hip, questionable)

Mavericks: Kristaps Porzingis (knee, out), Maxi Kleber (foot, out)