The healthy players on the Dallas Mavericks roster know they have to ramp up their production until their injured teammates return.
Dallas began a five-game road trip on a winning note, defeating New Orleans 137-136 on Wednesday. The journey continues with a visit to Detroit on Friday.
Frontcourt starters P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford made major contributions as the Mavs scored 80 second-half points yet barely emerged with a victory. Washington supplied 25 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, while Gafford made all nine of his field-goal attempts en route to 22 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and three assists.
“We don’t have a choice at this moment. We’re down a lot of players and everybody is taking it personally to go out there and play well,” Washington said. “As long as we play together, it doesn’t matter who’s on the court. When we play like that, it’s easy for everybody to keep the momentum going.”
Superstar guard Luka Doncic hasn’t played since Christmas due to a calf injury, but the Mavs’ frontcourt has suffered even more hits. Dereck Lively II (ankle), Maxi Kleber (foot) and Dwight Powell (hip) are all on the mend.
“We’re stretching them, but those guys aren’t complaining about the minutes,” coach Jason Kidd said of Washington and Gafford. “Gaff is playing at a high level for us. Not just protecting the rim but getting out offensively, eating the glass and we’ve been able to play through him in the post. He’s doing an incredible job. And P.J. has been doing a great job since he’s been here. We need those two guys to lead us with (Kyrie Irving).”
Irving had 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists against the Pelicans. The Mavs will be facing Detroit for the first time this season.
The game on Friday begins a season-high six-game homestand for the Pistons. They are coming off a five-game road trip in which they won the first two games, then dropped three straight.
The latest defeat came on Wednesday, when they fell to Indiana, 133-119.
“Tough loss,” Cade Cunningham said. “We wanted to finish the trip the right way. Tough game for us. I think there was a lot of extracurricular stuff that (messed) the game up for us. I thought it could have been a lot cleaner of a game.”
Cunningham, Tim Hardaway Jr. and coach J.B. Bickerstaff picked up technicals and backup center Isaiah Stewart was ejected for a flagrant foul.
Bickerstaff feels that’s a product of a much-improved team displaying passion.
“Our guys care and compete at a high level,” Bickerstaff said. “There is no opponent that we are going to shy away from. We are going to be who we are. We are going to earn the respect of this league, whoever it is. Everybody is going to respect the Pistons and the way we compete.”
Cunningham did his best to keep his team in the game. He had 32 points and nine assists. He’s averaged 26.8 points and 8.7 assists this month.
