Detroit Pistons: Top 5 ‘Must watch’ games

No. 2: Tues., Feb. 9 vs. Brooklyn Nets, Feb. 9, 7 p.m.

This is another game which, if fans were allowed, would easily sell out Little Caesars.

With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant joining the Nets, a team that barely made the playoffs last season suddenly is seen as a title contender. Brooklyn has eight nationally televised games scheduled; no team has more.

Besides the pair, Brooklyn features a deep lineup of athletic wings who can score off the dribble. They are not a two-man team.

Point guard Killian Hayes will be facing a lot of aggressive players on defense, certainly a good lesson for him.

It will be an interesting matchup for coach Dwane Casey on who guards Durant. As a power forward, Blake Griffin would seem the obvious choice. With Durant’s athleticism, having Jerami Grant on him might be a better matchup.

WIth DeAndre Jordan at center, it will be another good test for Mason Plumlee and rookie Isaiah Stewart. Casey can also go with a small lineup, and have Griffin play center.

Veteran guards Delon Wright and Derrick Rose would most likely guard Irving. Hayes could match up with him as well, but, you want him to learn a lesson, but not get taken to the woodshed, as Irving could really go off. The smart move would be to let the old-timers take Kyrie.

What shape the team will be in at this point is something to consider.

This game is part of a brutal stretch where they face, in order, the Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, the Chris Paul-led Phoenix Suns, the Lakers again and then the Nets.

Playing high caliber teams will certainly be something the Pistons will be used to by the time they face the Nets.