Detroit Pistons 2019-20 schedule release: March will be biggest challenge
The NBA released the 2019-20 schedule and it did the Detroit Pistons zero favors, making a playoff push that much tougher.
The Detroit Pistons will need to take care of business early this season if they want to make a third playoff appearance in five years, and second straight for the first time since making eight straight playoff berths from 2002 to 2009.
Strength of schedule determined by Las Vegas over/under lines gives the Pistons the easiest schedule before the All-Star break and the most difficult after.
Detroit, which comes off a 41-41 season that secured the eighth seed in the 2019 NBA Playoffs, will look to build off career years from Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond. Griffin missed four of the final seven games during the regular season with a knee injury, a critical stretch that the Pistons managed to get through to make the playoffs. He also missed the first two games of the first round against the Milwaukee Bucks.
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Health will play an important factor down the stretch as the Pistons. Not only does Griffin need to be healthy but so, too, does Reggie Jackson, who played all 82 games for the first time in his career. It’s the most games Jackson has played in a season since he played 79 games during the 2015-16 season.
The month of March is going to be a gauntlet. The Pistons grade out with the toughest schedule throughout the month of March. Meanwhile teams they may be fighting for a playoff spot against have considerably weaker schedules.
The Miami Heat have the weakest schedule after the All-Star break and the Orlando Magic rank 26th.
Strength of Schedule for all 30 teams based on Vegas O/U lines, broken down by month and pre/post-ASG.
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) August 12, 2019
Pistons have the league's easiest pre-ASG schedule and hardest post-ASG schedule. Pelicans hardest pre-ASG, Heat easiest post-ASG. pic.twitter.com/UPKjuGPjAI
Part of the explanation could be that the Pistons seem to be criminally overlooked in Vegas. Caesars released its over/under win totals two weeks ago and the Pistons were given a 37.5 rating.
Detroit has improved its roster with the signings of Derrick Rose, an upgrade over Ish Smith, and Markieff Morris. The Pistons acquired Tony Snell in a trade that gives them a legitimate 3-and-D wing in the starting lineup. Christian Wood and Michael Beasley will be brought into camp for a competition for a roster spot, since both are on non-guaranteed contracts.
Related Story. Rapid recap: Quick observations on Detroit's 2019-20 schedule. light
March schedule
March 1 – at Sacramento Kings
-The Pistons close a four-game, Western Conference road trip against the upstart Kings who will be fighting for a playoff spot.
March 4 – vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
-It’s hard to tell what the Thunder will be next season. They could trade Chris Paul, Steven Adams and others by the trade deadline. If they choose to compete, don’t expect them to fall off the table.
March 7 – vs. Utah Jazz
-Utah is one of the favorites in the Western Conference. It features a quality matchup between Rudy Gobert and Drummond. The Pistons will have their second meeting against Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell.
March 8 – at New York Knicks
-This is perhaps the easiest game during the month of March against Kevin Knox, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle and the Knicks. However, it is a second night of a back-to-back in which they’ll be traveling to Manhattan.
March 11 – at Philadelphia 76ers
-The three-game road trip continues as the Drummond-Joel Embiid rivalry takes center stage on ESPN. Former Pistons wing Tobias Harris re-signed with the Sixers and Ben Simmons.
March 14 – at Toronto Raptors
–Kawhi Leonard moved home to Southern California but the Raptors are still a threat to contend for an Eastern Conference title with Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and company returning.
March 17 – vs. Orlando Magic
-This may be the most critical game in Detroit’s rough stretch. Both teams will be vying for a playoff spot and the head-to-head record will matter. It’s another good matchup between Drummond and Nikola Vucevic.
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March 20 – vs. Golden State Warriors
-Michigan State alumnus Draymond Green returns to his home state with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and new teammate D’Angelo Russell.
March 22 – vs. Los Angeles Lakers
-Another tough game as LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead Flint natives Kyle Kuzma and JaVale McGee back to Michigan.
March 23 – at Milwaukee Bucks
-Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is a mismatch problem for any team. He leads Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and company into a good spot with the Pistons traveling for a second night of a back-to-back.
March 25 – vs. Portland Trail Blazers
-Detroit’s guard play will be tested with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum coming into Detroit fighting for seeding in the Western Conference.
March 27 – vs. Los Angeles Clippers
-Leonard has won a championship in San Antonio and Toronto. Los Angeles could be next as he unites with Paul George to form a league-favorite defensively.
March 29 – vs. Houston Rockets
-March’s final game welcomes James Harden and Russell Westbrook to the Motor City. Two players with some of the highest motors in the league for an exciting matchup.
Predicting March
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All games and matchups are subject to players sitting out due to load management. Potential candidates to rest star players are the Bucks and Sixers, either could have the Eastern Conference locked up, the Clippers, to preserve the health of Leonard and George, and the Lakers with an aging James.
If Detroit could manage a 6-7 record during this stretch that may be the best-case scenario. Anything that exceeds that, with the roster currently constructed, would be encouraging for the Pistons playoff chances and seeding purposes.
This becomes entirely different if the Pistons were to acquire a star, such as Bradley Beal or DeMar DeRozan, which has been a popular conversation in Pistons social channels.
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