For you skeptics that have dismissed the Mavericks’ season as a goner, consider Friday’s 123-117 win over the Detroit Pistons a “take that” moment.
The Mavericks stopped a five-game home losing streak as they dusted the Pistons at American Airlines Center behind 31 points from Spencer Dinwiddie and 27 from P.J. Washington.
They improved to 34-37 and pulled back ahead of Phoenix for the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference, pending the outcome of the Suns’ home game against Cleveland late Friday.
But the Mavericks are going to have to earn their way into the play-in tournament on the road, where they play their next four games and seven of their final 11, starting Monday in Brooklyn.