Despite the Detroit Pistons pulling off the successful “entertaining tank job” last season, it’s likely to be another long season.
Not the kind that has this team playing deep into the postseason, but more on the side of losses piling up. And that’s OK because I’m not sure too many hardcore fans anticipate a complete turnaround just because the core has had another year to grow and Cade Cunningham walked through the door.
Detroit Pistons schedule: The NBA didn’t do the young Pistons any favors
While I’m excited to see exactly how this team looks after a true offseason with all of Troy Weaver’s players, I’m disappointed the NBA didn’t do the Pistons any favors with the schedule, which has some trough stretches, including the beginning of the season.
An opening back-to-back slate with the revamped Chicago Bulls, a mini road trip that continues in Atlanta and Philadelphia, followed by a quick home game against the Orlando Magic before games against the Brooklyn Nets, NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks, a rematch with the 76ers and then more Nets before the showdown on ESPN against the Jalen Green-led Houston Rockets. All of this before mid-November.
It’s crazy to think this team can go 0-9 before their rare nationally televised game against the Rockets, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s to come this month:
- 10/20, Bulls vs. Pistons: Kicking the season off at home with fans for the first time in a while could be enough to get the Pistons over the hump, but the Bulls have just as much on the line for the opener. They have to showcase to a hungry fan base that its not going to start on the wrong foot against a team not widely considered in the top-tier. Bulls win.
- 10/23, Pistons at Bulls: It isn’t going to get any easier going to Chicago during a weekend match where the crowd will be in full force at the United Center. Bulls win.
- 10/25, Pistons at Atlanta Hawks: The Pistons usually play the Hawks well on the road. Both teams will be traveling after Saturday road games, so no clear-cut disadvantage Detroit can exploit. The Hawks feel like a more progressed Pistons team. They have a roster who skews young, has its star and is now in that next phase. Hawks win.
- 10/28, Pistons at 76ers: The 76ers have had a weird off-season with the whole Ben Simmons saga, and it only became more interesting when he reported to the team. With or without him, Philadelphia wins this game. 76ers win.
- 10/30, Magic at Pistons: It’s happening! After five tries, the Pistons get into the win column. The team is at home, will have a day between games and are the better team. Throw in that Orlando will be coming from Toronto (playing on a back-to-back) in a different country during a time when it’s not as easy as it used to be to go from country to country, and you have a recipe for disaster…for the Magic. Pistons win!
- 10/31, Pistons at Nets: Roles are now reversed. The Nets are the home team, have a day between games and are the better team. Not much else to say about this one. Nets win.
There you have it. Pistons go 1-5 in October to start the season after a rough scheduling from the league. It should get better in November, but stay tuned to PistonPowered for predictions. Do you agree with the 1-5 start? Are there wins left on the board? Let us know!