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Mavericks return home to entertain Pistons

Dec 1, 2012 - 4:58 PM (Sports Network) - The Dallas Mavericks return home after a brief, two-game road trip to host the Detroit Pistons Saturday night at American Airlines Center.

The Mavs dropped both games on their jaunt across the country. On Tuesday, they fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 100-98 when they made too many mistakes in the fourth quarter. On Wednesday night, Dallas lost to the Chicago Bulls, 101-78.

Darren Collison missed Wednesday's tilt with a sprained right middle finger. He hasn't played spectacularly well, so the team signed veteran point guard Derek Fisher.

"We need help at the point guard position, and to that end I might as well announce that we're going to sign Derek Fisher tomorrow pending a physical," Carlisle told reporters after the Bulls loss. "And I think he can really help our situation with experience, defensively and really all areas of the game. Right now, the point guard position is a challenge for us and I think Derek can help us."

Fisher's signing meant Troy Murphy was waived. Collison is questionable for Saturday's game.

The Mavericks have had problems with the point, but defense has been the main issue. Dallas ranks fourth-to-last in the league in opponents' scoring and have allowed 100 points or more in five straight and seven of its last eight games.

Detroit had won two straight and three of four games until dropping a 90-78 decision at Memphis Friday night. Greg Monroe had 17 points and nine rebounds for a Detroit squad that committed 22 turnovers for 31 Memphis points.

"We definitely had a chance to win the game if we didn't turn the ball over as many times as we did," Monroe admitted.

Tayshaun Prince scored 15 points and Brandon Knight rounded out the double- digit scorers with 10 in defeat. Knight entered the game averaging 22.0 ppg in the last three.

After Saturday's game in Big D, the Pistons, who are just 1-9 on the road, will return to The Palace of Auburn Hills for three straight games versus Cleveland, Golden State and Chicago.

Detroit lost the only meeting with Dallas last season 100-86 on Jan. 10 and is 4-10 in the past 14 encounters. The Pistons have lost three in a row overall on the road and the last four trips to Dallas.