Dale Davis or Magloire? Looks like Davis might be the more likely of the two. (What ever happened to P.J. Brown as a possibility?)

The Dallas Mavericks appear to be tops on the list for soon-to-be free agent Jamaal Magloire, according to NBA front-office sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that the 6-11 center is strongly leaning toward signing with the Mavericks this week and that a binding decision could come as early as Tuesday, with the 29-year-old scheduled to clear waivers at 6 p.m.

SLAM is liking the ‘Stonz in their rankings

The team we all saw in Phoenix on Sunday was a straight juggernaut, a brick wall on defense and a relentless machine on offense. And you knew Rasheed would go off; he’s averaging 15 points (44% FGs) and 8 boards on the road this year, compared to 10 points (41% FGs) and 5 boards per at the Palace

Hey ladies, Flip Saunders’ is a biter

“You’ll notice I bite my lip a lot,” Saunders said. “I’ve got a lot of scars and stuff in there.”

That’s one result of having two rookies among the team’s top eight players. Go nine deep, and there’s forward Amir Johnson, who is technically in his third year but is getting playing time for the first time.

Former Piston Jon Barry knows what time it is

“Did I miss something, or does the West now get six teams in the NBA Finals?” Barry, who is an ESPN analyst, joked. “They’re only going to have to play one team from the West, I know the Pistons are going to match up well against any team. They can grind it out, they can play up-tempo, you name it. I don’t think there is anything this team (the Pistons) lack right now.”




FORMER PISTONS + AROUND THE LEAGUE

• The Celtics reportedly have some interest in Flip Murray’s services
• Primoz isn’t looking to sit for the Raps like he did here:
  

  “The first to the 15th guys make you feel like family. But no playing time, man. No playing time. I was just looking for a chance, and I didn’t get it. In a month-and-a-half, two months, all I got was garbage time. That’s not me man. I’ve been a starter in this league, I know I can play, so I’m not going to sit on the bench. I guarantee you that. I am not going to sit on the bench.”

• Mateen Cleaves has signed with the D-League’s Bakersfield Jam
• The Freep’s Michael Rosenberg says don’t be surprised if Ben Wallace helps Elvis and the Cavs past the Pistons
• Need another reason to be envious of professional atheltes? Check out D.J. Strawberry’s girlfriend /ex-girlfriend Nicole

• UPDATE: Yao Ming is done for the season, that’s gotta smart Houston fans. Sorry.

[Box score] You got the feeling watching this one that it might have saw a couple of overtimes because it seemed like neither team could pull away. The game saw 22 ties and 19 lead changes. Luckily the Pistons did pull away after J.R. Smith wasn’t able to convert on free throws that would have tied the game after being fouled by Chauncey on a three pointer with 6.5 seconds to play in the game.

So, if you’re keeping track the Pistons have won three straight after losing two straight on the heels of winning 10 straight. Pretty streaky guys.

Denver native Chauncey Billups (8 asts, 7/7 FT), Tayshuan Prince (9 asts, 6 rbs) and Rip Hamilton (6 asts, 8 rbs) all scored 20 points a piece. All Piston’s starters scored in double figures with Antonio McDyess recording a 16 point, 13 rebound double-double.

With the starters getting a lot of rest courtesy of blowing out the Suns the day before in Phoenix, they had the fresh legs to hang on and eventually finish off Denver. That’s not to say the Zoo Crew didn’t put in work and provide energy, but it was the main guys closing out the game for the ‘Stonz.

Garrett Ellwood / Getty

NOTES: Former Piston (1986-89) Adrian Dantley sat in the first seat for the Nuggets filling in for George Karl who was out with the Flu. This was Dantley’s second shot at head coaching, the first coming in a 111-105 win at the Los Angeles Lakers on April 3, 2007…Allen Iverson & Carmelo Anthony combined for 51 of Denver’s points…The Pistons had 29 team assists and shot 17/19 from the free-throw line…Best Damn Sports Show was playing in the Pistons’ locker room before the game and they were replaying Allen Iverson’s “Practice?” meltdown. It’s amazing how that never gets old. Rasheed, Chauncey, Dyess, Tayshaun, they were all cracking up like they were seeing it for the first time.(source)