The Detroit Pistons will complete the 2022-23 season today in an afternoon game against the Bulls in the United Center in Chicago.
It’s been a disappointing season for the Pistons, who are the league’s worst team and lost valuable developmental time when Cade Cunningham went out after only 12 games.
But there have been some bright spots, including the two rookies Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, who will be the focal points of today’s game. Chicago has nothing to play for, as they are already locked into the final play-in spot and will take on Toronto in the first round of the play-in tournament.
As for the Pistons, there is nothing to play for but pride and the chance to enter the offseason on a two-game winning streak. It would be only the second time Detroit has won back-to-back games this season, a fact that pretty much summarizes how things have gone.
The Bulls will likely be resting most of their key players, so I predict that the Pistons will end on their biggest winning streak of the year. Here are three more predictions for the final game.
3 predictions for Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls
Jaden Ivey will score 30 points
Jaden Ivey is second among rookies this season with three 30-point games, and I predict another one is coming today. Ivey has been on a mission of late, averaging 22.8 points, 8.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds over his last five games while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 36 percent from long range on over seven attempts per game.
He was aggressive early and often against the Pacers and will come out firing today in his last chance to build his resume for the All-Rookie 1st team.
Jalen Duren will drop a double-double
Jalen Duren is also trying to battle his way onto the All-Rookie team and has a significant statistical goalpost in front of him. Duren currently has 19 double-doubles on the season, second among rookies to Walker Kessler, who has 20.
Duren will get another one today, tie Kessler and finish the season one off the all-time Pistons’ rookie record that is held by Greg Monroe.
This will be Dwane Casey’s final game as head coach
Head coach Dwane Casey will meet with Tom Gores at the conclusion of the season to decide his future, and my guess is that future is going to involve a position in the front office. With the Pistons looking to turn a corner next season, and the possibility of some major roster churn, now seems like the logical time to go in a different direction at head coach.
Although the prospect of the long drought of the offseason is daunting, fans of the Detroit Pistons are ready to put this season in the rearview mirror and start one of the most pivotal offseasons in recent memory.