Pistons vs. Mavericks final score: Pistons overwhelmed by Luka Doncic and Seth Curry, fall 122-111

The Detroit Pistons fell to the Dallas Mavericks 122-111 in Mexico City, Mexico Thursday night.

Andre Drummond started the game going gangbusters. He scored 10 of the team’s first 15 points, punishing Kristaps Porzingis inside more than a few times. Coming into the contest, Andre had an allergic reaction to Mexican avocado, and was supposedly a game-time decision with eye swelling.

The Pistons were down nine early in the second quarter, but managed to keep every Mav quiet except Luka Doncic (heard of him?) and Seth Curry, and eventually grabbed the lead themselves, going up by as many as seven. But, the Mavs were 16-7 coming into the game for a reason, and quickly recaptured control as Luka got it going again. The Mavs went into the half up 65-58.

Sharpshooter Seth Curry couldn’t miss in half number one, shooting 9-of-11 (five treys). Luka Doncic missed four free throws, yet still scored 23 in the half. No other Mav scored more than four.

Blake Griffin took several clean looks from downtown, but only converted on 1-of-7 in the first half.

Drummond scored 20 in the first half, and Christian Wood scored six first half points on three dunks, this one being the most emphatic:

Luka, as we all know, is so much more than a scorer. He’s a lover:

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The beginning of the third quarter was all Mavs. Porzingis held down the paint, got several spoon-fed dunks via Luka’s passing wizardry, and before you knew it a seven-point spread was 16. And then 24.

The Mavs’ game plan was to not let Derrick Rose (or anyone for that matter) into the lane, and for the most part they were successful. Additionally, Blake didn’t look all the way right, despite some positive signs here and there recently. Blake wasn’t helping on the glass nor was he helping guard anyone. Galloway near the end of the third quarter had only shot twice. Luke Kennard didn’t have his shot at 3-of-11.

Both Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis went to the bench for rest with about four minutes left in the third. Pretty quickly, Derrick Rose had his own flurry, knocking in three treys and getting to the cup. Markieff Morris drilled two treys and Christian Wood sent back a Mavs’ shot and contested another, and Detroit was within 10 at the end of the third.

Dallas in no time took control of the fourth and things were never really in doubt.

Drummond was a non-factor in the second half, scoring just three points. Rose and Morris led the way, scoring 19 and 16 respectively. Kennard ended up 3-of-13 and was a marked man the entire night. If you hold down Kennard and Griffin, you are going to beat the Pistons team handily.

The 20-year-old Luka Doncic went for a triple-double with 41 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Luka turned it over just three times. Seth Curry finished with 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting. Porzingis scored 20 and made things tough for Detroit, especially in the second half. Dallas didn’t need much else. Dallas improves to 17-7.

Detroit is now 10-15 and will take on the Houston Rockets Saturday night.