Slumping Pistons pump into Dallas

Detroit has lost two straight games. On Tuesday, Zach Randolph drained the go- ahead jump shot over Tayshaun Prince with 21 seconds left, then Richard Hamilton missed two three-pointers in the final three seconds as the Portland Trail Blazers stunned Detroit, 88-85, at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Hamilton totaled 25 points in the loss to Portland, while Chauncey Billups contributed 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in defeat. Prince had 10 points and was just 4-of-13 from the field.

The Pistons are 5-4 on the road this season. They will also visit Orlando, Indiana and New Jersey on the current road trip.

Dallas plays the first of a brief two-game homestand. All-Star Dirk Nowitzki collected 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Mavericks to a 92-75 win over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday at Continental Airlines Arena.

Josh Howard netted 23 and pulled down six boards in the win over the Nets for Dallas, while Jason Terry finished with 13 points and seven assists for the Mavericks, who have won 13 of their last 14 games overall.

The Mavericks are 7-2 at home this season. They will host Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets on Saturday in the finale of the short homestand.

Detroit has lost four of five and five of its last seven at Dallas. The Pistons are 15-10 at the Mavericks.

The teams have split the last six contests in this series.