The Mavericks face the Pistons Thursday night for the second time this season, but the first time on U.S. soil. The home game for the Mavericks will be their third in the last four games, where they have won the other two. The Pistons have the best record in the East coming in, while the Mavericks sit a game out of 10th place in the West. At the time of writing, it is uncertain if Naji Marshall or Anthony Davis will play, but it seems as though the books have a Davis absence baked in. If that is the case,
the Mavericks will need another monster performance from their sensational rookie to have a chance.
Before getting into our picks, here is how we stand so far:
Last week’s results
Tyler: 2-2 (-$34)
David: 3-1 (+$211)
Season to date
Tyler: 11-17-0 (-$536)
David: 14-13-0 (+$262)
I am carrying the load right now, but that just means Tyler is due.
Game Details
Fixture: Dallas Mavericks vs Detroit Pistons | NBA 2025-2026
Date and Time: Thursday, December 18th, 2025; 7:40 PM CST
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX.
Odds up to date as of 12:00 PM CST from FanDuel
Game Lines
Spread Mavericks +7.5 (-112)
Total O/U 228.5 (-108/-112)
Moneyline Mavericks +215
Tyler’s Plays
- Cooper Flagg under 22.5 P+R+A (-110)
- Pistons -1.5 in the second quarter (-115)
- Cade Cunningham triple-double (+1000)
- Jaden Ivey to get 10+ points (+116)
Not many people are brave enough to stand in front of the Cooper Flagg freight train. I am! Detroit has the bodies and structure to contain him. Secondly, Detroit’s second quarter net rating is +11. Dallas? -8. I’ll ride with Detroit pre-flop. Next, Cade is coming home and just had his number retired by Arlington Bowie. Expect a massive game. Finally, Jaden Ivey is healthy and will have ideal matchups against a porous Dallas defense. Double-digit scoring is in the cards tonight.
David’s Plays
- Cooper Flagg over 19.5 points (+102)
- P.J. Washington to get 15+ points (+106)
- Cade Cunningham over 26.5 points (-118)
- Pistons over 117.5 points (-106)
I disagree with Tyler about the Pistons’ ability to lock Flagg down. If he can get 35 points against Kawhi Leonard, 20 at home should be doable. Washington is a 15-point-a-game guy and plus-money for this is a steal. Cunningham is coming home, as Tyler stated, and has an incredible matchup against the Mavericks’ undersized guards. I think he will lead Detroit to a high-scoring night where the Mavericks may struggle to keep up.
