Dallas @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 25, 2019 ) Detroit 101, Dallas 106

Luka Doncic was unstoppable against Detroit just six days ago and looks for another strong outing when the Dallas Mavericks visit the Pistons on Thursday. Doncic had 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as Dallas posted a 106-101 home win over Detroit last Friday.

The 19-year-old rookie is the first teenager in NBA history with multiple triple-doubles in a season after posting two in the past five games. But Doncic didn't flirt with one on Wednesday as he settled for 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a convincing 114-90 road win over the New York Knicks. The Pistons have dropped four of their past five contests as they enter the second contest of a four-game homestand. Power forward Blake Griffin scored 18 points in Tuesday's 115-105 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks after scoring 30 or more points in eight of his previous 11 appearances.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (23-27): Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. scored 13 points, recorded a career-high 15 assists and matched his career best of 10 rebounds against the Knicks for his second career triple-double. Smith is averaging 15.5 points and 7.5 assists in four games since returning from a six-game hiatus in which he was unhappy with his role in the wake of Doncic's emergence as a ball-handler. "Smith had a big impact game," Carlisle told reporters, later adding this remark about Smith posting a triple-double one game after Doncic: "It means that they can play together if you ask me."

ABOUT THE PISTONS (21-28): With Detroit's season being mired in mediocrity, there is plenty of speculation that Griffin could be on the move prior to the Feb. 7 deadline. Pistons owner Tom Gores complimented Griffin's play on the team website and said he wouldn't be surprised if the 29-year-old is frustrated, while Griffin asserted that he hasn't requested a trade. "Yeah, I am happy here and of course I'm frustrated," Griffin told reporters. "You should be frustrated. But I still - like Tom - believe in this team and we can turn this around and (reel) off a couple of wins and be fine. The NBA, it's ups and downs. After a loss or several losses, you're not supposed to be happy. If there's guys in here smiling, point them out and I'll say something."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pistons won their past two home games against the Mavericks after dropping their previous five.

2. Dallas SG Wesley Matthews was 5-of-9 from 3-point range against New York after being 3-of-15 over the previous three contests.

3. Detroit SG Reggie Bullock (ankle) is "uncertain" according to coach Dwane Casey and could miss his second straight game.

PREDICTION: Pistons 106, Mavericks 103