Why the Detroit Pistons will break their losing streak vs. the Wizards

The Detroit Pistons have lost nine straight and have the worst record in the NBA, so I’ve had to search hard for reasons to be hopeful.

I’ve been called an overly-optimistic homer (that’s the nice version) a lot this season, but I had low expectations coming in and am enjoying watching the young players get big minutes even amidst all of the losing. I also think this is part of the overall vision for restoring the Detroit Pistons.

This is the rebuild we’ve been asking for but it appears some weren’t quite ready for the Pistons to be this bad. Buckle in, folks, it is going to be a long season.

But the Pistons have to win another game sometime right? Why not tonight against the Wizards? This is probably crazy wrong, but I have a feeling the Pistons are going to end their losing streak tonight at home.

Why? Call it a hunch.

The Wizards are on a 3-game losing streak of their own, having lost recently to the Cavaliers, Raptors and Pacers.

They are a streaky team that is 8-3 at home and just 6-8 on the road, which gives me hope.

They’ve let up two big games in a row to power forwards in Pascal Siakam and Domantas Sabonis, so I am hoping Jerami Grant can do the same tonight.

Cade Cunningham has been playing like a superstar lately and is sick of losing. He sort of called his team out after the last loss and has been visibly upset by their play. I think he’s going to go off again tonight.

I am also hoping that Killian Hayes can lock down Bradley Beal, as the Wizards pretty much go as he goes lately and haven’t been scoring consistently as a team. Stop Beal and the  Detroit Pistons have a good chance.

The Pistons actually haven’t been playing that poorly lately, it’s just that they never play a complete game, but I think they are going to be motivated tonight and we’ll see a focused effort for all four quarters.

I also think we’ll see a tighter rotation, more overlap of the starters and bench (which is a disaster right now) and the Pistons play this home game like it’s the playoffs.

For all of these reasons, I am predicting a Pistons’ win tonight. I’m probably wrong of course, but hey, what do you expect from an overly optimistic homer?

Here’s what the sports books think.

Detroit Pistons vs. Washington Wizards: Odds, spread and over/under

According to WynnBET, the Pistons are 5.5 point underdogs at home vs. the Wizards. Detroit was actually favored for the first time last game vs. OKC but it’s back to being dogs.

The money lines are set at +185 for the Pistons and -220 for the Wizards. If you are going to bet this (please don’t do it on my advice, remember, I’m an overly optimistic homer) just take them to win and forget the points.

The over/under is 208.5 and I’d recommend avoiding it or taking the under if you have to.

How to watch

You can catch the game at 7:00 PM ET on Bally Sports Detroit or listen on 97.1 FM The Ticket if you prefer not to have to watch this mess.