Detroit Pistons look for much needed win against Clippers

Blake Griffin and the Detroit Pistons are taking on his former team the Los Angeles Clippers for the first time at the Staples Center.

Blake Griffin makes his return to Los Angeles as the Pistons take on the Clippers Saturday at 3:30  p.m.  This is Griffin’s first return back to Los Angeles since the trade last year.

The Pistons are in desperate need of a win and a defeat against the Clippers will turn things in the right direction for Detroit.

Detroit is currently on a four game losing streak and have lost 10 of their last 12 games.  Not a good sign if you’re the Pistons and you hope things will turn for the better.

This will be the first time that these two teams will meet this season.  The Clippers are currently fifth in the Western Conference with a 24-17 record.  The Clippers have been playing good basketball throughout the season, especially during the beginning.

Three former Pistons now are playing with the Clippers and they have made an impact on the team.  Tobias Harris, who was one of the Pistons top scorers, currently leads the team in scoring at 21.0 points per game and rebounds at 8.0 per game.

Avery Bradley (7.5 points per game) and Boban Marjanovic (6.9 points per game) have played a key role in the Clippers success this season.

We know that the Clippers have been one of the top teams in the West, but everyone knows that all eyes will be on Griffin as he returns back to the team who drafted him number one overall in 2009.

The Pistons wanted Griffin to be well rested for this game as he did not play in their last game against the Kings, and he was surely missed.

What to expect against the Clippers

Yes, Detroit has struggled recently, we are aware of that.  But if this team wants to turn things around, then now is the time.  What better way then to have Griffin get a victory against his former team who he’s playing against for the first time.

With Griffin, who is averaging 25.1 points per game, being well rested, expect him to come out with something to prove against his former team.  Detroit will waste no time getting Griffin going early in the game.

The Pistons really need to look in the mirror and see that something needs to change.  They can not continue to play this kind of basketball  and expect to make the playoffs.

One of the good signs to look at is that, though the Pistons have been struggling, they are only in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 17-23 record.  They are two games back from the Charlotte Hornets, who have had the Pistons number all season.

Look for Detroit to feed of Griffin against the Clippers.  If Griffin goes, then so will the Pistons.  Andre Drummond, who is averaging a double-double with 16.7 points per game and 14.9 rebounds per game, will look to have a dominating performance.

Drummond did not have the best game in his last performance against the Kings finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds.  But that will not be the case against the Clippers.

Detroit will need to shoot the ball better, both from the field and behind the arc.  Reggie Bullock and Luke Kennard need to pick it up on the offensive end and if they get going against the Clippers then there will be a good chance that Detroit can win; especially if Griffin continues to play like he’s been playing.

Those are some key factors that the Detroit Pistons will need to execute at against the Clippers.

Now, Detroit will need to keep Doc Rivers team from going on runs on the offensive side.  With Harris being the scorer that he is and Danilo Gallinari, second on the team in points at 19.5 points per game, they know how to score.

The Clippers are fourth in the league in scoring with 115.6 points per game.  They know how to score, so Detroit will have to step it up and keep the pressure on the Clippers.

If the Detroit Pistons can be successful in that area, the percentage of winning will be high.

Let’s see if the Detroit Pistons can end this losing streak and get back to their winning ways.

Detroit basketball!