Whether it was with Michael Jordan’s Bulls, Larry Bird’s Celtics, Magic’s Lakers or Metta Sandiford-Artest’s Pacers, the Detroit Pistons used to be a part of some of the biggest rivalries in the NBA. But a long drought of losing capped off with last season’s 17-win campaign has doused some of those rivalries into nostalgia. The NBA has done the rest, as constant player movement amid myriad other factors (players are all friends now) has diminished NBA rivalries.
Hopefully, the Detroit Pistons will win enough games next season to be hated again. Here are some games on the schedule that could kick off rivalries.
Detroit Pistons: 10 potential rivalry games to circle on the calendar
November 29 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
This historic rivalry was somewhat reignited by Isaiah Stewart trying to murder LeBron James after James hit him with a cheap shot two years ago. The melee made for great memes, and could be the catalyst for a renewed rivalry if the Pistons can ever start beating LA. The Lakers won both games last season, but Detroit will be out to show there is some new talent taking over the league. If this game is close, expect some tension.
December 2 vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Will this be the season that the Detroit Pistons catch up with the Cleveland Cavaliers? The Cavs were already ahead of the Pistons in their rebuild and then jumpstarted it with the Donovan Mitchell trade and left Detroit behind. But the Central Division foes are closer in talent and will always have the Cade Cunningham vs. Evan Mobley angle. Cade is out to show he was the right choice with the #1 pick. Detroit should close the gap somewhat this season, which could make for some great games.
December 28 @ Boston Celtics
I hate Boston. I’m still mad about the Bird steal. I’m still mad about the Parish punch. This is a rivalry that was baptized in blood, when you could punch a guy in full view of the ref and not even get a foul. Unfortunately, the Celtics have gotten the better of it of late, winning 7-of-8 over the last two seasons. But there have been some tight games in the mix, including one where Cade Cunningham went off. Boston is one of the heavy hitters in the Eastern Conference and Detroit has to knock that crown off their head to take over. These games are always fun.
Detroit Pistons: 10 potential rivalry games to circle on the calendar
January 1, 2024 @ Houston Rockets
What better way to start the new year than to play the team that could eventually become the Detroit Pistons’ biggest rival? Not only are these two rebuilds near the same stage, but you have the Cade Cunnigham vs. Jalen Green angle, and the draft just added fuel to the rivalry by giving each team a Thompson twin. This one should be good for years to come, but both teams will want to establish themselves as the better up-and-coming squad next season.
January 10 vs. San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama seems like a nice kid, but he’s going to have a big target on his back this season after getting more hype than any player since LeBron. Bigs are going to be eager to push him around and the other guys in his draft class are going to be keen to show that there was more than one potential star in the 2023 NBA Draft. The Pistons and Spurs are also roughly on the same timeline and should be near each other in the standings, so this will be another battle of young cores that could take over the league in the future.
January 12 vs. Houston Rockets
I imagine this game will be even more spirited than the first, as whoever loses that New Year’s Day matchup is going to be out for revenge. One name to watch is Cam Whitmore, who was widely rumored to be Detroit’s choice in the draft before freefalling to the 20th pick. Half the league passed on him, not just the Pistons, but I am sure Whitmore will use it as extra motivation. Both of these teams are loaded with young talent and these will be games to look forward to regardless of their respective records.
January 20 and 22 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
This is two games, but I am going to count it as one long battle in Detroit. The Bucks have been the kings of the Central Division forever and have thoroughly dominated Detroit since Giannis Antetokounmpo joined the league. The Pistons are just 11-27 against the Bucks in that time, but it gets worse. They are just 4-22 in the the last seven years and only 1-13 over the last four, with the last win coming in January of 2022. If the Pistons want to be contenders again, they will have to go through Milwaukee and this will be a chance to get two in a row against them at home.
Detroit Pistons: 10 potential rivalry games to circle on the calendar
February 4 vs. Orlando Magic
This mini-rivalry started to kick off over the last few seasons, as both teams have been battling each other for the bottom of the conference. It got a heated last year with a little dust-up near the Pistons’ bench that resulted in some WWE-style punches being delivered (they were about as real). Whatever you think about Killian Hayes’ alleged knockout, these are two teams on the rise at the same time and they don’t like each other, which should make for some good games.
March 11 vs. Charlotte Hornets
The two worst teams in the East last season will both look to climb out of the cellar behind their young cores. I put this late matchup in here because hopefully both teams will be fighting for the play-in and there will be something at stake. High-stakes games are what build rivalries, so even though Detroit vs. Charlotte will not be considered a marquee matchup, it could be meaningful for their young rosters. This has the potential to be the start of a future rivalry if the teams are near one another in the standings.
April 4 vs Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls is arguably the 2nd greatest rivalry in NBA history behind the Lakers vs. Celtics. The beef between Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan continues to this day. But it’s been a bloodbath for Detroit over the last four years, as they have failed to beat the Bulls in 15 games, their longest streak of futility. This has to change if the Pistons ever want to emerge in the Central. It’s hard to see the Bulls being better next season, as they didn’t make any impact additions, so this could be the year when the Pistons finally overtake them in the standings and hopefully leave them in the rearview mirror.