The theory that playing on consecutive nights takes a physical toll on players is ingrained in the NBA. Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle isn't going to discount it, but he's also not going to use it as an excuse. Dallas was at Detroit to open a back-to-back Sunday. Carlisle wants his team to push the tempo regardless of whether it's the first night, the second or if there are days off between games. "We're always looking to run," he said. "We have to play our game. I think fatigue on the second night of back-to-backs is overrated or over-analyzed. I think this game is more about execution and efficiency than fatigue.
"These guys are great athletes and they're extremely well-conditioned. I've been with some teams that at times have played better on back-to-backs because they're in a flow, as long as guys aren't getting hit with huge, huge minutes."
Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and Drew Gooden were the only ones to play more than 30 minutes Sunday with a trip to Milwaukee looming Monday. The Mavericks have 20 back-to-backs this season.
MAVERICKS 95, PISTONS 90: Dirk Nowitzki led five Mavericks in double figures as Dallas held on to win Sunday night at Detroit. The Mavericks improved to 7-3 and 1-1 on a three-game trip that ends Monday at Milwaukee.
Nowitzki didn't have his stroke, shooting just 11-of-27, but he manufactured a team-high 25 points and added six rebounds and five assists. The rest of the Mavs' starting lineup scored at least 10, including a season-high 14 from rookie Roddy Beaubois.
Dallas has won seven of its last 11 at Detroit. The Pistons tied the game at 78 midway through the fourth, but Nowitzki started an 8-1 run with a 3-point play. Rodney Stuckey led Detroit with 28 points and Will Bynum had 27.
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