The two hottest teams in the NBA play tonight as the Dallas Mavericks (26-10) host the Detroit Pistons (11-23).  While their records and place in the standings are much different they are both on the longest current win streaks in the NBA at 6 games.

 

Projected Starters

Mavs

PG: Rajon Rondo 12.7 PPG, 8.2 APG, 5.8 RPG

SG: Monta Ellis 20.6 PPG, 4.4 APG, 2.4 RPG

SF: Chandler Parsons 15.6 PPG, 2.3 APG, 5.0 RPG

PF: Dirk Nowitzki 18.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.5 BPG

C: Tyson Chandler 10.9 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 1.3  BPG

 

Pistons

PG: Brandon Jennings 14.1 PPG, 6.3 APG, 2.7 RPG

SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 12.1 PPG, 0.9 APG, 2.5RPG

SF: Kyle Singler 6.8 PPG, 0.9 APG, 2.4 RPG

PF: Greg Monroe 14.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 0.2 BPG

C: Andre Drummond 13.0 ppg, 13.2 RPG, 1.8 BPG

 

Addition By Subtraction

 

The Pistons have played very well and climbed out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference since dropping Josh Smith.  Now that Smith isn’t there to jack up shots and waste possessions, the Pistons have become much more team oriented and efficient.  Looking back at their win streak Brandon Jennings has elevated his game, guys like DJ Augustin, Jodie Meeks and Kentavious  Caldwell-Pope have all stepped up and are playing much better.  While they have played better and will pose a challenge tonight we have to thank the Detroit Pistons.  The Pistons dumped Josh Smith allowing the Houston Rockets to pick him up and are now living the nightmare that is the Josh Smith Effect.  Thanks Detroit!!!

 

 

 

Keys to the Game

 

Battle of the Bigs:  Andre Drummond has been an absolute monster of late.  In last night’s victory over the San Antonio Spurs he scored 20 points and hauled in 17 rebounds.  Tyson Chandler and company will need to step up against him.  While Drummond is a big enough handful, the Pistons also have the services of Greg Monroe, who is more than capable of holding his own out there. He poses a significant match-up problem for Dirk Nowitzki, Charlie Villanueva, and possibly even Richard Jefferson if the Mavs go with their small ball lineup.

 

Rajon Rondo vs Brandon Jennings: While it is inevitable that Drummond and Monroe will get their points and rebounds down low, the Mavericks do have the defensive play of Rajon Rondo to hopefully slow Jennings down tonight.  Jennings is capable of lighting up the scoreboard on any given night, but has been known to be a hit or miss type of player for most of his career.

 

The match-up takes place tonight at 7:30 CT at American Airlines Center and can be watched on Fox Sports Southwest.

 

(Photo: Eric Gay/Associated Press)