GAME THREAD: Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons

WHO: Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons

WHAT: Two teams stretching the lower limits of what NBA basketball can look like.

WHERE: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI

WHEN: 6 p.m. CST

HOW: Fox Sports Southwest or NBA League Pass

THE STORY: The Mavericks have had a weird April, winning more games than they’ve lost, but just barely and in weird fashion. Dallas handled the Lakers (without LeBron James and a recently returned Anthony Davis), but also lost to the Sacramento Kings twice in eight days. Just recently, they blew the doors off a very hot Warriors team. It might have been the Mavericks most impressive win of the season, considering the opponent and the stakes.

So now the Mavericks are playing another sub-.500 team, which for whatever reason hasn’t meant good things for the Mavericks. Also, everyone is hurt. Just look at this injury report:

This isn’t hyperbole — the Mavericks are playing the worst NBA roster since likely the Process 76ers. The Pistons are one of the worst teams in the NBA and they’ll be without four of their six best players. Dallas will likely be without Luka Doncic and Dorian Finney-Smith.

This game is going to get weird. Try to enjoy this beautiful mess. Tell your brain it’s “basketball performance art.”