Analyzing Friday’s Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Dallas Mavericks tipped off a five-game road trip with a 137-136 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, avenging their loss in this building a few weeks ago. Four players from each team scored at least 20 points, and both teams shot above 45% from three, but the Mavericks made five more three-pointers, one of the bigger differences from the game.

If history is any indication, general manager Nico Harrison will have the Dallas Mavericks involved in the action ahead of the 2025 NBA trade deadline Feb. 6.

P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford had double-doubles, four of their Dallas teammates scored in double figures and the visiting Mavericks defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 137-136 on Wednesday night.

The Dallas Mavericks will be missing rookie center Dereck Lively II due to an ankle injury in their game against the Detroit Pistons. With several key players also injured, including Luka Dončić, Dallas will have to rely on backup frontcourt players and perimeter shooting.

Now clinging to a play-in spot in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks are awaiting the return of their star, Luka Doncic, to make their ascent.

On Wednesday night, the Dallas Mavericks picked up a tight 137-136 win over their Southwestern Division rival New Orleans Pelicans. The offense was scorching hot, as the Mavericks shot 54.2% from the floor, 46.5% from three, and snagged 16 offensive rebounds to turn into 32 second-chance points.

P.J. Washington scored 25 points, making all four of his 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter, and Kyrie Irving added 25 points and six assists.

The 2027 first-round pick was the only one Dallas had to offer because NBA rules prohibit trading first-round picks in successive years, and the Mavericks, at the time, owed the Knicks a first-rounder in 2024 or 2025 from the Kristaps Porzingis deal ( it officially became the ‘24 pick in April) and Brooklyn one in 2029 from the Irving deal.

The healthy players on the Dallas Mavericks roster know they have to ramp up their production until their injured teammates return.

Daniel Gafford was perfect, scoring 22 points with 12 rebounds and 4 blocks in the Mavericks’ down-to-the-wire win over the Pelicans.