Mavs reach .500 mark with win at Detroit (AP)

Dirk Nowitzki scored 18 points, and the Dallas Mavericks reached the .500 mark by routing the Detroit Pistons 100-86 on Tuesday night. The defending champion Mavericks (5-5) started their NBA title defense slowly, losing four of their first five games, but they've bounced back. Tuesday's win was their first on the road.