MINNEAPOIS — Riding a three-game winning streak after Friday night’s 98-89 victory at Detroit, the Dallas Mavericks now find themselves in the driver’s seat in the three-team race for the final two playoff positions in the West Conference standings.
Led by veteran guard J.J. Barea’s 29 points on 13-of-23 shooting in place of an injured Deron Williams (left abdominal strain) and Raymond Felton (right groin injury) at the point, the Mavericks (38-38) climbed back to .500 on the season with a strong performance at both ends of the floor. The Mavs outshot the Pistons for the game, 45.