Detroit Pistons: 3 things to watch against the Mavericks

The Detroit Pistons are down to the last ten games of the season but still have plenty to play for.

There is the lottery of course, and after Orlando won last night, the Pistons are again tied for the third-worst record in the NBA and hoping to stay there.

The odds don’t change dramatically, but to get the maximum chance to land in the top-four picks or get the number one overall, the Pistons need to stay in the bottom three.

If they dropped to four it is not the end of the world, as the odds don’t change much, but after fans have suffered through an entire season of losing, we are hoping for the best possible odds heading in, even if it doesn’t work in the Pistons’ favor, which history tells us it won’t.

I’m not sure if the Pistons are helping or hurting that cause by sitting nearly every veteran player against the Mavericks, as the Pistons’ young guys have played well this season and still have plenty to prove.

It will be a night for the young guys to shine, but we first have to figure out if the Detroit Pistons even have enough players vs. the Mavericks.

Here are three things to watch.

Detroit Pistons: Who is going to be playing?

The Pistons will be sitting at least five guys including Mason Plumlee, Jerami Grant, Cory Joseph, Wayne Ellington and Dennis Smith Jr., with Rodney McGruder listed as day-to-day.

The Mavericks could be shorthanded as well, as they currently have five players of their own on the injury list.

Kristaphs Porzingis and Josh Richardson are definitely out while Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and J.J. Redick are all listed as day-to-day.

I would really love to see Killian Hayes go up against Luke Doncic this season, so hopefully Luka plays, which also gives the Pistons much less chance to actually win this game.

If you like watching the young players, tonight is the game for you.