Mavs clash with Pistons in Motor City

The Dallas Mavericks hope to continue their recent mastery of the Detroit Pistons when the two clubs collide Friday at The Palace.

The Mavericks have won two in a row, seven of eight and 14 of the past 20 encounters with Detroit, which suffered a 92-77 beatdown in Big D on Dec. 1 this season.

Dallas has won two of three games overall since a three-game slide and is fresh off Wednesday's 112-108 triumph over the rival Houston Rockets. Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion each scored 22 points and O.J. Mayo added 13 points, a career-high 12 assists and six rebounds.

"Shawn (Marion) had a great all-around game. We needed his points early and throughout the whole game he did a tremendous job on (James) Harden," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "Harden had a lot of points, but at the end of the game, Shawn was the guy who got the key stops."

The Mavericks will begin a four-game road trip Friday and are 10-21 as the visitor this season. In injury news for Dallas, guard Anthony Morrow is doubtful Friday with a balky hip.

Detroit has dropped three in a row and six of seven games, including Wednesday's 87-77 loss to the New York Knicks. Knicks All-Star Carmelo Anthony didn't even play because of a knee issue.

Brandon Knight ended with 17 points for the Pistons, who went 0-4 against the Knicks this season and have lost seven straight overall in the series. Jason Maxiell and Kyle Singler donated 14 and 13 points, respectively.

The Pistons were without head coach Lawrence Frank (personal) and Greg Monroe (ankle). Assistant coach Brian Hill took over for Frank.

"I told our guys after the game that I have nothing negative to say," Hill said. "I thought we played some difficult lineups out there tonight. I thought they gave us every ounce of energy that they could possibly give us."

Monroe is questionable for Friday's game and Charlie Villanueva (hamstring) is listed as probable versus the Mavericks. Monroe leads Detroit with 16.1 points and 9.5 rebounds this season, and has three double-doubles in his last five games played.

Detroit, which is winless in four straight at home, is 15-19 as the host this season and will begin a four-game western road trip Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers.