As the NBA slowly reveals primetime games for its schedule release, Pistons fans have been disappointed to see their team receive little opportunity in nationally televised games. But the league just revealed a golden chance for the Pistons to take control of their NBA Cup fortunes in a primetime game. On November 26th, the Pistons will play the Celtics in their penultimate Cup group stage game live on ESPN.
The Pistons’ draw of an NBA Cup group originally appeared to be a mixed bag, with the potential to be a formidable group. The four other teams included are the Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics. Orlando is set to have a big season and Brooklyn is expected to continue rebuilding, but the other two teams are question marks.
The Celtics and 76ers have been mainstays in the upper crust of the Eastern Conference for the last half decade, but both have uncertain outlooks on the upcoming season. In an unfortunately expected story, 76ers stars Joel Embiid and Paul George are suffering with injury issues, even before the season begins. After their long absences due to injury last season, the newest reports raise serious questions about what their team can accomplish at any point in the season.
For the Celtics, the main focus of the offseason has been shedding salary to save money on luxury tax. They don’t expect to contend for a championship next season due to star Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury. After trading away veterans Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, their roster is a hodgepodge of journeymen and unproven players. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White will be asked to carry the team, but the surrounding cast could easily drag the team down to mediocre levels.
What’s at Stake Against the Celtics?
The aforementioned primetime game between the Celtics and Pistons will be the Pistons’ third game of the Cup group stage. In the previous games, they’ll face off against the Nets and 76ers. With a dominant showing in these three games, the Pistons can place themselves in a position to advance in the NBA Cup regardless of their outcome against the Magic.
The NBA Cup allows four teams to advance to the Knockout stage per Conference - each group winner and a “wild card” team that is the best amongst the 2nd place teams. The wild card rankings are based on record in the group and point differential. So the Pistons can have a good shot at the wild card if they blow out the first three teams and then lose a close game against the Magic.
Either way, the Pistons will have a great opportunity to show out in front of a larger audience in one of their first primetime opportunities of the season.