After trouncing the Chicago Bulls, 117-95, the Detroit Pistons look to add another win during their home stretch with the visiting Los Angeles Lakers.
Since Reggie Jackson‘s return, the Detroit Pistons have been more fun to watch lately.
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Not only has it been alleviating for fans to finally see their starting point guard come back from injury, though Jackson’s presence has led to better Detroit basketball: winning two of the last three since his return.
And with the Los Angeles Lakers visiting Monday, the Pistons look to add another win while continuing to increase Jackson’s minutes.
During their last meeting in October, the Lakers came away victorious over the Pistons with a 113-93 win. At this point in the season, Detroit can not afford a similar result.
With only nine games left and standing five and a half games back from the East’s eighth seed, Detroit must be virtually perfect for the rest of the season.
Additionally, Detroit needs help from either the Bucks or the Heat to lose a great majority of their remaining games to propel themselves, the Pistons, into the eighth seed.
As the likelihood of Detroit winning out and either the Bucks or Heat losing out is not great, there’s a chance. And Detroit can not afford any hiccups with a young and tough Los Angeles Lakers team.
In their last five games, the Lakers are 1-4. Although, each loss has been slim and to current playoff contenders: Golden State, Miami, New Orleans, and Indiana.
Furthermore, Los Angeles is not the same team from October. The Lakers have added Isaiah Thomas and are playing quicker and more polished up-and-down the floor, transition basketball.
Fortunately in the Pistons’ favor, they aren’t the same team either.
This time around, Detroit has Blake Griffen. Griffen, averaging 19.6 points and 8.6 assists in his last five games, has proven un-guardable at times while playing more comfortable around the arc and down-low since his initial arrival.
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No matter the case, it will be a fight Monday night and a worthwhile fight for both teams. As both continue to hunt for play off contention, Detroit fans will continue to appreciate Reggie Jackson’s return while also recognizing Monday night as Kyle Kuzma‘s, Laker rookie and Flint-Native, first professional basketball game in his home state Michigan.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. E.T. Monday night at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.