Pistons #5 10-15-09 Detroit @ Dallas

Toe injury leaves Pistons' Tayshaun Prince uncertain about status vs. Mavericks
By A. Sherrod Blakely
October 14, 2009, 9:00PM

The Detroit Pistons' Tayshaun Prince suffered a cut to his big right toe against the Washington Wizards and did not play in the second half of Tuesday's loss at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

Pistons coach John Kuester said it had yet to be determined if Prince would play Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks.

"He's going to be alright," Kuester said. "But it's an unusual place to have a cut."

The injury occurred when Prince's foot was kicked by Washington's LaVale McGee.

•Tayshaun Prince, who had his right big toe split open in a freak injury when Washington’s JaVale McGee kicked him Tuesday night, didn’t have his sneakers on after Wednesday’s practice and is questionable for Thursday night’s game in Dallas. But the injury isn’t serious and he’d undoubtedly play if it were a regular-season game.

“When I saw the blood, I thought, my gosh, what happened?” Kuester said. “He’s going to be all right, but just an unusual place to have a cut.”

Terry's hot 3rd quarter leads Mavericks
Posted Oct 15 2009 11:40PM

Pistons.com Recap
Boxscore

DALLAS(AP) Jason Terry scored 10 of his 21 points during a decisive third-quarter run, and the Dallas Mavericks went on to a 113-88 preseason victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night.

Drew Gooden added 16 points, Dirk Nowitzki had 15 and Kris Humphries contributed 14 points and nine rebounds for the Mavericks (3-1).

Rodney Stuckey had 20 points and Kwame Brown added 11 for the Pistons (3-2).

Dallas opened the third quarter with a 15-3 run that included two 3-pointers from Terry and gave it a 71-53 lead.

Terry finished 8 of 10 from the field, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range.

The Mavericks were in front 92-73 entering the fourth quarter.

Stuckey had 17 points in the first half, but the Mavericks led 56-50 after shooting 54 percent from the field.

The Mavericks remain without projected starters Josh Howard and Shawn Marion. Howard is recovering from offseason surgery on his left ankle, while Marion is sidelined with a recurring right calf strain.

Howard has started scrimmaging with the goal of playing in at least one of the final preseason games. Marion is day-to-day.

Tim Thomas, expected to be a key reserve for the Mavericks, is also out as he heals from right knee surgery.

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said planning for the regular season without Howard and Marion is a challenge.

"They're going to have to catch up,'' he said. "Those guys have got to get some reps. But we'll figure it out.''

Charlie Villaneuva (left hamstring) and Tayshaun Prince (right toe) were out for the Pistons, and Ben Wallace was given the night off by coach John Kuester.