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The Dallas Mavericks are coming off arguably their best performance of the season going into Wednesday nights matchup with Detroit at American Airlines Center.The Pistons cant say the same.The Mavericks (6-18) scorched Denver 112-92 Monday in the opener of a quick two-game homestand. Six players scored in double figures, Dallas scored a season-high in points in regulation and shot a season-high 58.4 percent.The Mavericks also recorded new season highs for points in the paint (48) and fast-break points (21). Dallas led by as many as 28 points, its largest lead in any game this season.The performance was even more impressive considering the Mavericks are without Dirk Nowitzki, Andrew Bogut and J.J. Barea. In their place, Dallas received big contributions across the board.Wesley Matthews tallied a team-high 25 points to go along with four rebounds and two steals in 32 minutes. Matthews has posted at least 25 points five times in his last eight games.Matthews is averaging 18.9 points per game over his last 15 games, and has connected on 47.3 percent (61-129) from 3-point territory in that span.My teammates are finding me and Im getting good looks, Matthews said. I put a lot of emphasis this year on working hard on my shot after practice. Im a product of energy and when we are playing the right way and we are locked in I feel like I can knock down shots.Harrison Barnes scored 18 and Deron Williams added 17 points. Rookie forward Dorian Finney-Smith, starting in place of Nowitzki, set or matched season highs in points (13), rebounds (nine), assists (three) and blocks (two) in 32 minutes. Justin Anderson and Seth Curry scored 11 and 10, respectively, off the bench.The Mavericks have been forced to rely on relatively inexperienced players such as Finney-Smith, Anderson, Curry and Salah Mejri due to injuries all season. Beating the Nuggets served as a needed confidence boost.Weve just got to keep working and build off this win, Anderson said. We wont go away. We are not going to get down we are going to continue to build off this.The biggest thing, it is a huge learning experience for all the younger guys. Going through these ups and downs in the NBA, and keep pushing to get better.The Pistons (13-13) took a step back in Sundays 97-79 home loss to Philadelphia. The 76ers opened the game on an 18-4 run and never looked back.Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy took blame for the loss and the team not being ready to play. He gave the team Saturday off and didnt hold a morning shootaround practice Sunday because of severe weather in the Detroit area.We just werent ready. We were just not ready, Van Gundy told reporters after the loss. Its not that they dont have some responsibility in that, no matter what the conditions. Youre an NBA player. Its your job to be ready to play. But I didnt do my job in getting them ready.Marcus Morris did score a season-high 28, and Andre Drummond recorded his seventh consecutive double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.Van Gundy experimented in the Philadelphia game with duo point guards Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith together on the floor with starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope sitting out with a knee injury. Caldwell-Pope is expected to play against Dallas.That pairing didnt work well against the Sixers, but Van Gundy hope to try it again in an effort to manufacture more offense.The Pistons rank second in terms of opponents points per game, giving up just 96.1 points a game. Theyre also first in fewest turnovers per game, averaging just 11.6 turnovers a contest.Detroit went 1-1 against the Mavericks last season. The Pistons have lost six of the past eight games in Dallas, but have won the last two.Wil Myers Jersey . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Craig Stammen Padres Jersey . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. http://www.padressale.com/customized/ . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. Eric Hosmer Jersey .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Manuel Margot Padres Jersey . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. ' ' '