San Antonio Spurs (17-10) at Dallas Mavericks (19-8), 8:30 p.m. (ET)
(SportsNetwork.com) - The Dallas Mavericks will unveil their new point guard just in time for Saturday night's crucial home contest against the defending champion, San Antonio Spurs.
Four-time All-Star Rajon Rondo was acquired from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Jameer Nelson, reserves Brandan Wright and Jae Crowder, a first- round pick, a second-round pick and cash.
"There's one goal that you have in mind, and I'm dying to get another ring again," Rondo said in his introductory news conference. "I want another parade."
Rondo heads to a Dallas team on a two-game winning streak, both coming on the road. The Mavs bested the New York Knicks on Tuesday, then prevailed in Detroit on Wednesday.
Dirk Nowitzki scored nine of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to help the Mavericks hold off the lowly Pistons, 117-106.
Chandler Parsons added 32 points, seven rebounds and two steals for the Mavericks, who have won six straight against Detroit.
"I'm just in a good rhythm right now," said Parsons. "Teammates are doing a great job finding me, I'm playing with confidence, and you knew it was going to happen. It was just going to be a matter of time."
Monta Ellis tallied 25 points and eight assists. Tyson Chandler finished with 16 points and nine rebounds and Wright chipped in 10 points one night before being traded.
The Mavericks shot 50.6 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from long range.
The Spurs are in the midst of their first three-game losing streak since Jan. 26-29. Two of those losses came in triple-overtime, like Friday's setback at home to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Spurs fell to Memphis, 117-116, in Wednesday's triple-OT thriller, two days after the Blazers beat them in Portland.
"The whole team's effort, I'm just really proud of them," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "They did a great job under tough circumstances."
Tim Duncan had a season-high 32 points and Danny Green added 27 for the Spurs, who lost despite starting the first two overtimes on 6-0 runs.
Tiago Splitter (14), Manu Ginobili (11), Marco Belinelli (10) and Corey Joseph (10) rounded out the double-figure scorers for the Spurs, who shot 40 percent from behind the 3-point line.
Tony Parker (hamstring) and Kawhi Leonard (hand) both missed the contest against the Trail Blazers. Their status for Saturday is unknown.
The Spurs beat the Mavericks opening night in San Antonio and have taken 10 straight regular-season meetings. The Spurs eliminated the Mavs in seven games during the first round of the 2013-14 playoffs.
The Spurs have won four straight regular-season games in Big D.