Home, home of the South
Technically speaking, the Pistons have a home game during this road trip. Mexico City will be a second home for the Pistons when they host the Mavericks on Dec. 12. However, since it’s away from Little Caesars Arena and significant travel is involved, we’ll consider it a part of a road trip.
In mid-December the Pistons begin a three-game trip heading to New Orleans to take on Zion Williamson and the Pelicans. The NBA’s first overall pick is one of three rookies, including guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker out of Virginia Tech and center Jaxson Hayes out of Texas, on the new-look Pelicans. They received a haul trading away Anthony Davis, which includes receiving Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram in return.
There are certain to be some chemistry issues early in the season but it may not carry into December. New Orleans can be a dangerous team this season and lively crowds are expected at the Smoothie King Center with the highlight-reel star in Williamson.
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A bonus of this particular road trip is the Pistons won’t have to leave central time once they get there. They also get two days off before meeting the Dallas Mavericks in Mexico City.
That will be an interesting contest as reigning Rookie of the Year, Luka Doncic, is paired with Kristaps Porzingis, whom the Mavericks acquired in a deadline trade from the New York Knicks. The pairing is intriguing as many expect the duo to compliment each other well.
Then, there’s just one day off Detroit gets a travel day to Houston, which has been a perennial contender in the Western Conference. Daryl Morey made a surprising trade to pair James Harden with former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook, and shipping Chris Paul out. The Rockets should still be Western Conference contenders, especially with the balance around the league.