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Pistons edge short-handed Mavericks 93-89

Posted at 9:58 PM, Jan 31, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-31 21:58:45-05

DETROIT (AP) — Andre Drummond had 24 points and 20 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the short-handed Dallas Mavericks 93-89 on Thursday night.

Before the game, the Mavericks traded Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews to the New York Knicks in a seven-player deal . Dallas acquired Kristaps Porzingis, but for this game the Mavericks were significantly undermanned. In addition to the players they dealt, they also were without star rookie Luka Doncic, who sat out with left ankle soreness.

Detroit still had its problems with the depleted Mavericks, falling behind by 14 in the first half. The Pistons were down 74-65 in the fourth before going on a 14-4 run. The game was close the rest of the way.

Up by three, Detroit fouled Jalen Brunson with 5.4 seconds left. Brunson made the first free throw and missed the second, and Drummond came up with the rebound and was fouled. A 53 percent free throw shooter on the season before the game, Drummond calmly made both shots to seal the win.

MILESTONES

Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons tips in a rebound while playing the Dallas Mavericks at Little Caesars Arena on January 31, 2019. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Blake Griffin had 24 points for Detroit and finished with 445 in January, the highest-scoring month in team history. The previous record was held by Isiah Thomas, who had 442 points in March 1983.

Drummond passed Bill Laimbeer to become the Pistons’ career leader in offensive rebounds.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Dallas has lost four of five. … The Mavericks fell to 1-8 in the second half of back-to-backs.

Pistons: Reggie Jackson had 17 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.

UP NEXT

Mavericks: Visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.

Pistons: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

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Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister