detroit — The Pistons hosted two of the NBA's most talented scorers on Saturday night against the Dallas Mavericks.
Luka Doncic, one of the leading candidates to win this season's MVP award, and running mate Kyrie Irving used their offensive skill sets to lead the Mavericks to a 142-124 victory over the Pistons.
Pistons guard Cade Cunningham traded shot-for-shot with Doncic throughout the first half, but Doncic and Irving's dynamic shot-making was a challenge for the Pistons, especially without Orser Thompson's defensive presence for much of the game. It was too much for me.
Doncic recorded a game-high 39 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, helping the Pistons defeat the Pistons, who were 10-53 on the season. He became the first player in NBA history to record five consecutive 35-point triple-doubles. When Doncic grabbed his 10th rebound with 3:14 left in the game, fans inside Little Caesars Arena erupted in cheers. Irving added 21 points, three rebounds and five assists.
As the Pistons did everything they could to keep the ball out of the hands of Dallas' dynamic duo, opportunities created for other Mavericks players. Former Michigan Wolverine Tim Hardaway Jr. added 17 points off the bench. Daniel Gafford had 17 points and seven rebounds.
Cunningham scored 24 points in the first half of Saturday's game, but only nine points in the second half. He totaled 33 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists, making 11 of 21 from the field. Simone Fontecchio scored 27 points off the bench, the highest score of his young career. Jayden Ivey had 17 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Box score: Mavericks 142, Pistons 124
The Mavericks are the only team the Pistons haven't faced this season, and Pistons manager Monty Williams emphasized the importance of limiting Doncic as much as possible, especially from the free-throw line. Doncic has taken advantage of freebies in nine of his 10 trips to the stripe.
There was no way Fontecchio would miss the start of the match. He started the game by making his first three 3-pointers, including a desperation floater to beat the shot clock with seconds left in the first quarter. The second-year forward celebrated by holding up three fingers on each hand. His first missed shot of the night should have been an easy layup created by Thompson's playmaking. Fontecchio made four of five 3-pointers and knocked down all five of his free throws.
Thompson's minutes were limited Saturday due to an illness that has seen him play in the past two games. He was tired and faint throughout the 11 minutes of activity. He left the game at 8:28 of the second quarter and did not return. He had four points and four rebounds on 1-of-7 shooting. Thompson started the game guarding Doncic, forcing Doncic into several turnovers. Doncic committed four of six turnovers in the first quarter.
For the third straight game, Jaylen Duren was forced to the bench early due to foul trouble. The second-year big man was whistled for his second personal foul less than four minutes into the game. Williams inserted backup center James Wiseman into the game. Duren was clearly irritated by the early whistle and threw a cushion as he sat on the bench. After committing an offensive foul, he picked up his fourth foul 16 seconds into the third quarter. Wiseman made the most of the extra opportunity, posting a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
At 7:03 of the fourth quarter, Duren was involved in a shoving match with Mavericks forward P.J. Washington. Duren appeared to commit a hard foul on Gafford, which was given to Jaden Ivey, but Washington retaliated by pushing the Pistons center in the chest. Duren returned the favor and the two had to be separated. Both players were given technical fouls, but Duren received an additional technical foul and was ejected. He had six points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Detroit split the first two games of a six-game homestand against teams competing for a playoff berth. On Monday night, they will face the Charlotte Hornets, who they have lost to twice this season.
Doncic last played against the Pistons on January 30, 2023, scoring 53 points. He only needed 39 points this time, just above his career average of 35.7 points against the Pistons. This mark is the highest scoring average by an individual opponent in Pistons franchise history.
The Pistons will face the Mavericks again in Dallas during their final trip of the season. The game is set for April 12, two days before the final regular-season game in San Antonio.
mcurtis@detroitnews.com
@MikeAcurtis2
