Mavs-Pistons preview: Rest, rhythm for playoffs are primary focus

The Mavericks have played their way into a wonderful situation of being able to play their last two games without any focus other than trying to make sure they are in their best spot heading into the playoffs next weekend.

They have the No. 5 playoff seed locked up. And while there’s a remote chance they could move up to No. 4 and have home-court advantage in the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers, it’s not likely.

One LA win or one Dallas loss and the Clippers will lock up No. 4. Both teams have two games left.

So the Mavericks can handle their final two games however they want.

They’ve earned it. And they should enjoy it and take advantage of this situation – most likely with sensible amounts of rest and preparation for the Clippers. That equation begins Friday when the woebegone Detroit Pistons make their only appearance of the season at American Airlines Center – in the final home game of the regular season, no less.

And, as we learned Thursday, Kyrie Irving will sit this one out with left hamstring soreness.

“Being able to get some rest here, we’ll look when we get home about Friday and Sunday (at Oklahoma City),” coach Jason Kidd said before the Mavericks returned home from their two-game sweep on the trip to Charlotte and Miami. “We’ll have to travel Friday or Saturday (next week) to our next opponent.

“It’s good to get some rest. But also sometimes you want to keep playing because of the rhythm and where we are as a team. But we’ve passed a lot of tests. The next test will be harder. But the rest will be important as we go forward.”

Take that as a sign that the heavy lifters – pretty much all the starters, but especially Luka Dončić and Irving – will get longer rests during the two remaining games and, as Irving is doing Friday, sit out.

But that’s for the coaching staff to sort out.

So far, they’ve pushed all the right buttons this season. And they have a 50-win season and a good playoff spot to show for it.

“To achieve 50 wins in two out of the three, we’re building something,” Kidd said. “And now it’s just a matter of being healthy and continuing to work on our habits.”

Here’s what else to look for in Friday’s match against Detroit:

• It’s the final regular-season home game and the Mavericks will have a Fan Appreciation Party presented by Dr Pepper starting at 5 p.m. The pregame party will feature games, photos, entertainment and eats and drinks from Andy’s Frozen Custard, Tiff’s Treats, Celsius and more at the Michelob Ultra beer garden. DJ Ekow will provide the music on the south plaza in front of American Airlines Center.
• The Pistons have the worst record in the NBA and are playing the second night of back-to-back games after having lost in Detroit Thursday 127-105 to the Chicago Bulls. Jalen Duren and Marcus Sasser both had 20 points in the loss.
• Cade Cunningham, an Arlington native who was the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft after a season at Oklahoma State, leads the Pistons at 22.7 points per game. But the 6-6 swingman has missed the past five games with a knee problem.
• The Pistons have been in rebuilding mode for several seasons and haven’t won more than 23 games in any season since 2018-19, when they were 41-41 and made the playoffs, losing in the first round. They have lost six in a row and 14 of their last 15 games.
• The Mavericks’ defense has ranked No. 1 in the NBA since they started their 16-2 run nearly six weeks ago. They are riding a five-game winning streak.

DETROIT PISTONS (13-67) at MAVERICKS (50-30)

• When/where: 7:30 p.m., American Airlines Center, Dallas.
• TV: WFAA (Channel 8), UniMás (Spanish).
• Radio: 97.1 FM The Freak; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish).

X: @ESefko