Dallas Mavericks Team Report - March 28

(Basketball News) - The Dallas Mavericks begin a tough four-game road trip on Monday, as they tangle with the defending world champion Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Detroit registered a 101-85 beating of the Mavericks at American Airlines Center on December 6th. The Mavericks have won four of seven and seven of the last 11 meetings in this set. Dallas has won three of its last five trips to Auburn Hills.

Dallas has won five of six and seven of its last nine contests, including a 117-86 thrashing of the Cleveland Cavaliers at AmericanAirlines Center on Saturday. Michael Finley scored a team-high 26 points to spur the Mavs to the win. Finley finished the game 8-of-8 from three-point range, as Dallas finished the 14-of-18 from beyond the arc.

Keith Van Horn netted 23 points off the bench, while Jason Terry added 14 points and eight assists for the Mavericks, who improved to 4-1 under new coach Avery Johnson. Dirk Nowitzki finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds in the win.

Dallas improved to 10-2 on Saturday games this season and has scored at least 100 points in 14 of its last 20 games. The Mavs are registering 102.6 points per game (2nd-NBA).

The Mavs shot a red-hot 55 percent from the field and 15-of-20 (.750) from the free throw line. Dallas outrebounded the Cavs, 43-37, and committed 13 turnovers in the contest.

Dallas has won three of its last four road games, improving to 22-11 in foreign buildings. The Mavs play eight of their final 13 games on the road.

Van Horn has scored in double-digits in seven straight games and netted more than 20 in two of the contests. He is averaging 16.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in that span.

The Mavericks will visit the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, Philadelphia on Friday and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday in the finale of the current swing.

Dallas has 13 games left on its schedule and will play eight of the contests on the road. The Mavericks have a four-game lead over the Sacramento Kings for the fourth spot in the Western Conference playoff race.