The Detroit Pistons will continue their inexplicable season tonight in Los Angeles when they take on the Lakers.
The Pistons are fresh off getting washed at home by the Jazz before going on the road and beating the Suns behind another masterful game from Cade Cunningham, who has real All-Star buzz right now.
Which Pistons team will we get tonight? The one that gave up 42 points in 10 minutes to the Jazz or the one that dropped 41 points in the first quarter against the Suns? It’s anyone’s guess, but Detroit will once again be doing it shorthanded.
Pistons injuries vs. Lakers: LeBron vs. Isaiah Stewart
Isaiah Stewart has already been ruled out for tonight’s game, so we won’t get to see him take on his arch nemesis (joking) LeBron.
Stewart did travel with the team, which is good news and a sign that he might be back before this Western Conference road trip is over.
Jalen Hood-Schifino has been ruled out for the Lakers along with Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaxson Hayes, leaving the Lakers thin in the frontcourt. Their lack of depth at center has some predicting a trade between LA and Detroit, though the Pistons aren’t exactly deep at the position either.
Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis are listed as questionable for tonight’s game, but at LeBron’s age, he is always questionable, so I would expect both of them to play tonight.
This will be a game for Jalen Duren, who has to stay out of foul trouble, dominate the boards and try to slow down Anthony Davis. Paul Reed could also play a big role and could put up numbers against a depleted Lakers’ bench.
How to watch Pistons vs. Lakers
The game doesn’t tip-off until 10:30 PM ET, or if you live in Ireland like me, 3:30 in the morning, ugh, I hate west coast games.
You can watch on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit or listen on 97.1 FM The Ticket. There are many streaming options which you can find here.
Keys to the game for the Pistons
The Pistons beat the Lakers in their first matchup in Little Caesar’s Arena and hope to keep the momentum from their win over the Suns.
The Pistons have only won back-to-back games twice this season, a testament to their inconsistency, and that will be the key tonight. Can they give defensive effort for the entire game? Can they avoid big runs by the Lakers? Can they avoid big droughts of their own?
The Pistons dominated the glass in the first meeting to make up for a poor night from behind the 3-point line, which will be key again tonight. Detroit had 17 offensive rebounds in their win over the Lakers early in the season, so Duren and Ausar Thompson need to be hunting them again tonight.
Detroit also limited their turnovers in the first game, so that will be key again. The Lakers have won three in a row, and are starting to roll, so Detroit has to punch them in the mouth early, outwork them the entire game and try to run their older opponent off the floor.