ASA free play on Dallas Mavericks -8.5 @ Detroit Pistons - The Mavericks are playing for the 4th overall seed in the Western Conference which is significant as the 4 seed gets to host the 5 in the first round. Dallas currently holds a 2 game lead over Denver and only trail the 3 seed Golden State by a game. The 3 seed would be extremely nice as they would avoid Phoenix for another round. The Mavericks have been one of the better defensive units in the NBA this season allowing 1.076-points per possession and 104.8-points per game which is 2nd in the NBA. Offensively the Mavericks have been slightly lower than average in most key categories ranking 20th in FG% and 23rd in 3PT% but that should improve against this Pistons defense. Defensively the Pistons are 20th in the league in points allowed per game and rank 25th in FG% defense and 3PT% D. On the season the Pistons have the 28th ranked offensive efficiency numbers at 1.065-points per possession. But shoot just 32.8% from beyond the arc (29th) and 43.1% as a team overall which is also 29th in the NBA. The Pistons have covered 5 straight games and 19 of their last 23 games but the Mavs have way more to play for here. Detroit has a ton of players on the injured list and may be tanking the last few games of the season to improve their lottery status.