Pistons Aim for Road Trip Sweep Against Injury-Plagued Mavericks

Dallas, TX — The Detroit Pistons are set to face the Dallas Mavericks on March 21, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. EST at American Airlines Center, aiming for a sweep of their current road trip after a series of challenging games.

The Pistons, riding a momentum boost from a recent 46-point victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, had to battle back for a narrow win against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, thanks to a last-second three-pointer from Cade Cunningham. Despite not leading for a majority of the game, the Pistons secured a much-needed victory to improve their standings.

In contrast, the Mavericks have been struggling, currently holding a 33-37 record, but are set to face the Pistons with a significantly depleted roster due to injuries. The team may only have seven or eight healthy players available for this matchup, which could pose a trap game for Detroit.

The Mavericks are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Indiana Pacers, a game they had seemingly under control before the Pacers rallied for a last-second victory. “Even though the Mavericks have a shorter rotation, they will still put up a fight,” said Pistons coach Dwane Casey. “We need to respect every team we face.”

Dallas will see the return of Klay Thompson and PJ Washington, both of whom could provide a spark despite the team’s overall struggles. Thompson’s experience and Washington’s recent form could prove troublesome for the Pistons if they don’t come prepared. “We are aware that injuries can open opportunities for other players to shine,” Casey added.

Although the Mavericks are too far along in the season to consider tanking, they still face a challenging stretch ahead. Despite their record, they find themselves close to the Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference, which could motivate them to play spoiler against teams looking to secure playoff positions.

Conversely, the Pistons are focused on capitalizing on their current momentum but will need to keep their guard up if they hope to leave Dallas with a win. After their close call against Miami, they aim to avoid complacency. “This is a critical time of the season. We want to finish strong,” Cunningham stated after the game against Miami.

As the Pistons look to secure a smooth transition into April’s challenging schedule, they must be vigilant against a Mavericks squad searching for its lost identity. This game is pivotal for both teams, with stakes that extend beyond the scoreboard.