NBA champion Mavericks too much for Pistons, 100-86

**Admin** Wed Jan 11, 2012 1:03 am

Dirk Nowitzki scored 18 points as the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks reached the .500 mark by routing the Detroit Pistons, 100-86. Will Bynum scored 20 points for Detroit.

The Pistons (2-8 ) have lost five straight games, The Mavericks, playing without injured point guard Jason Kidd, went on runs of 13-0 in the first quarter and 16-0 in the third.

Rookie Brandon Knight started at point guard, but he had six of the Pistons’ 20 turnovers.

Detroit’s previous defeats in this streak were by 16, 23, 23 and 24. No NBA team has lost four straight games by at least 23 points, according to STATS, LLC.