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Pistons are hottest team in the NBA after win over Mavs

By Braden Shackelford

Jan 7, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) motions to his teammates during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) motions to his teammates during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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95. 79. 108. 64. Final

C. Started the game hot with a confident transition three along with some good defense which lead to an easy lay in. Finished the first half with six points on just two shots in only 8 minutes. That was the extent of Caldwell-Pope’s night as the second unit dominated the minutes and the score board the rest of the way.. SG. Pistons. KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE

c+. Andre amassed 10 rebounds in the first half, but was pretty mediocre otherwise. 2/8 from the floor with at least two point-blank misses and he struggled getting back on defense which lead to easy points for the Mavs. Despite not seeing a minute in the fourth, Drummond did manage to pull down an impressive 19 rebounds. . Center. Pistons. ANDRE DRUMMOND

B. Hardly saw any minutes, but was effective while on the floor. Hit his lone shot attempt.. SF/PF. Pistons. ANTHONY TOLLIVER

B+. Didn’t shoot well early on, but set his teammates up for easy shots and kept the flow of the offense. Had another clutch shot tonight to close the third quarter and has solidified himself as one of the team leaders. I didn’t notice any egregious plays on defense tonight.. PG. Pistons. BRANDON JENNINGS

F. After a 1/6 start and a so-so performance against Parsons in the first, Singler continued to be a complete non-factor and looks like he might be losing confidence.. SF. Pistons. KYLE SINGLER

A+. Monroe finally shook the slow starts that have plagued him as he scored 11 first quarter points. He was also a much more willing passer tonight and did a good job finding cutters to the rim. I thought he and Jennings had good chemistry. He’d finish with an eye popping 27-points, 18-rebounds, 6-assists and yelled “and one” on every one of his shot attempts.. PF/C. Pistons. GREG MONROE

JODIE MEEKS. B+. Kept the Pistons lead in the second quarter, along with help from Augustin, with two clutch three pointers. He may have not had the most efficient night scoring, but he also didn’t take a bad shot. Meeks brings it every night on both ends of the court and has been the perfect compliment to Van Gundy’s starters.. SG. Pistons

A+. As good as Jennings is playing there isn’t that much of a drop off for the second unit thanks to Augustin’s ability to get the ball to his play makers. Tonight was no different and he even got going early with a couple of threes during his limited time in the first half. In the fourth, he picked up right where he left off with a pair of threes after a ticky-tack foul and a technical which really got Augustin going to the tune of 26-points. He was a straight beast tonight.. PG. Pistons. D.J. AUGUSTIN

Pistons. CARON BUTLER. C+. Hit a nice three in the second and made a couple of nice steals.. SF

Center. Pistons. JOEL ANTHONY. I. Not enough minutes to give him a grade one way or the other.

C. Struggled early in every facet, but was able to flip the script in the fourth with six points and nine rebounds. He had a pretty nice offensive put back that illustrated his “ups”.. SF/PF. Pistons. JONAS JEREBKO

STAN VAN GUNDY. A+. Credit Van Gundy for sticking with his bench in the fourth. With a  74-68 lead Van Gundy road the nucleus of D.J. Augustin, Jodie Meeks, Caron Butler, Jonas Jerebko, and Greg Monroe straight to victory against the red-hot Mavericks, who were on a six game winning streak of their own. Van Gundy’s Pistons are finally playing his ball and are a real treat to watch.. Head Coach. Pistons

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