The Detroit Pistons will not get an up-close and personal look at Brooklyn Nets sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr. as the two teams square off today at Little Caesars Arena. Brooklyn’s Porter, who is the best 3-point shooter on the trade block this season, is missing his second consecutive game for personal reasons.
Detroit isn’t expected to make a big move before this week’s NBA Trade Deadline, but there are reports that it is at least exploring the potential of acquiring the extremely available Porter.
The wing is exactly the kind of player the Pistons need — a big wing who can shoot at value and can perform in the playoffs. The cost to obtain him, however, doesn’t seem to be the kind Detroit is looking to swing. Still, the team needs to do something.
As far as the actual game tonight, it feels like it will come down to 3-point shooting and how seriously Detroit takes the 13-34 Nets. Brooklyn’s most famous shooter is Porter, but don’t dismiss rookie Ego Demin, who can get raging hot from 3. Denim hoists more than six attempts per game and converts at 40%. If there is one truism for the Pistons this year, it is that an 18-point lead can turn into a two-possession game very quickly because of how few threes Detroit makes and how much they own the paint, which motivates opponents to bomb it away from deep.
If the Pistons lock in, don’t get cute, and don’t leave Brooklyn’s shooters, they should win this game handily. If they don’t take it seriously, they could easily lose.
Game Vitals
When: 6 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -13
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (35-12)
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Brooklyn Nets (13-34)
Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Terance Mann, Danny Wolf, Nic Claxton
