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Pistons look to snap 5-game skid against Utah

By Andrew Hejka

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 19: Luke Kennard
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 19: Luke Kennard /
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For the first time this season, the Detroit Pistons are below the .500 mark, sitting at 22-23. They will look to climb back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture against the Utah Jazz (19-28).

The Detroit Pistons are coming off a heartbreaking loss on Sunday at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets, 101-100. Spencer Dinwiddie delivered the game-winning bucket with under a second left to hand his former team its fifth straight loss.

In that game, Andre Drummond and Avery Bradley were both held to 7 points, and Tobias Harris led the way with 20 points. Stanley Johnson took another positive step forward, registering 18 points on 6-11 shooting off the bench.

Detroit now turns its attention to hosting the Utah Jazz, in what will be the first of two matchups this year. On paper, at 19-28, this looks to be a winnable game for Detroit. The Jazz are 14-9 at home, but hold the second-worst road record in the entire league at 5-19.

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One bright spot for the Jazz has been rookie phenom Donovan Mitchell. Pistons fans may remember that he was selected with the 13th overall pick in last year’s draft, one spot after Detroit took Luke Kennard. Many Pistons fans wanted Mitchell at the time, and although Kennard has had a very respectable rookie season, Mitchell has star potential.

Mitchell is averaging 19 points per game, and seems to be in a two-horse race for Rookie of the Year with Ben Simmons. He is only shooting around 44% from the field, but his efficiency will come with time.

All-NBA center Rudy Gobert will be playing in his 4th game back with Utah after a month-long absence. One of the best-shot blockers in the league, he could pose a problem for Detroit. The Pistons have had the 7th most blocks per game against in the league this year.

As most people have come to expect from Utah, they play at one of the slowest paces in the NBA, at right around 97 possessions per game. This means that limiting turnovers will be key in order to maximize possessions, as well as good shot selection.

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Let’s hope the Pistons come out with some intensity and passion after learning that Andre Drummond was snubbed of an All-Star berth. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. on Fox Sports Detroit.

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