Expectations matter, just ask the Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings.
Both teams have the same record (13-17) yet are being viewed completely differently, as Pistons fans are happy for improvement and a fun team with some fight while the Kings are ready to blow up their roster and start over.
The Pistons were expected to be at the bottom of the standings and fans are pleasantly surprised, while the Kings, who were playoff hopefuls, have their fans wondering if their core has hit its ceiling in the Western Conference.
Conferences matter too, as that 13-17 record has the Pistons in the 10th spot but it’s only good for 12th in the West, which has the Kings considering their options on the trade market.
Detroit will be trying to do something they haven’t done in a long time, which is win three games in a row after dispatching of the Suns and Lakers just before Christmas.
They might be doing it shorthanded again, as they have a couple of new names on the injury report and their absence would test the Pistons’ depth.
Pistons injuries vs. Kings: Ron Holland II, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren
The Pistons have both rookie Ron Holland II and Isaiah Stewart listed as questionable for tonight’s game, Stew with a knee and Holland with an illness.
Jalen Duren is listed as probable after tweaking his ankle in the last game.
If these three are out, the Pistons will be without a big part of the defensive engine that powers their bench and will be down to one center.
Domantas Sabonis is also listed as questionable, so check back around gametime to see if there will be any starting centers in this game. The Kings have depth issues of their own at center, with just Trey Lyles backing up Sabonis, so we could see a run and gun game of small ball teams tonight.
How to watch Pistons vs Kings
As usual, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit will carry the game on cable and you can listen on 97.1 FM The Ticket. The game starts at 10:00 PM ET, ugh. Hey NBA, could you start these holiday games a little earlier?
Streaming options are available here for those without cable tv.
On a side note: There has been a lot of talk about NBA ratings being down and why that might be, yet rarely does anyone mention the fact that so many young fans use off brand streaming sites. Instead of talking about how many 3-point shots teams are launching, how about taking a look at fixing your streaming problem?