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Mavericks host Pistons in East-West battle

Jan 9, 2008 - 2:43 PM Detroit (26-8) at Dallas (23-11) 9:00 pm EST

DALLAS (Ticker) - Their 11-game winning streak now a thing of the past, the Detroit Pistons will have their work cut out for them if they hope to avoid losing two straight.

The Pistons open a four-game road trip Wednesday when they take on the Dallas Mavericks.

In a matchup of the Eastern Conference's two best teams, the Pistons had their winning streak stopped with Saturday's 92-85 home setback to the Boston Celtics. Now the Pistons face Dallas and San Antonio - two Western Conference powers - the next two nights.

Detroit has won nine of its last 10 road games, but is just 4-4 away from home against the West.

The Mavericks have won their last four games by an average of 16.0 points. They are tied for the second-best home record in the West at 16-3.

The second-best team in the NBA in terms of scoring defense, the Pistons will have their work cut out for them stopping a high-powered Dallas attack that has seen the re-emergence of Dirk Nowitzki.

The All-Star forward started out the season slow - leading the club in scoring in just six of the 23 games and eclipsing 25 points six times - but has led the Mavericks in scoring in nine of the past 10 games.

The teams split two games last season, each winning on the road.