I know it is early in the season, but I decided to take a peek at point differentials out of curiosity. The Pistons (4-2) have a net rating of +2.7, good for 10th in the NBA. That is extremely respectable,
but there is a lot of distance between the tiers above them. The ninth-place Portland Trail Blazers jump up to a +4.5 differential, and the Houston Rockets, despite being just 3-2, are No. 1 at +13.6. Tonight’s opponent, the Memphis Grizzlies, are 3-4 and have a -4.4 rating, 24th in the NBA.
That might belie some deeper issues with the Grizzlies, who aren’t gelling with new coach Tuomas Iisalo’s offensive or defensive systems, which both rank bottom-10 in the league. It certainly doesn’t have a fan in star point guard Ja Morant, who has been so disruptive off the floor and disinterested on it that he is coming off of a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to his team.
The Pistons, meanwhile, are playing in perfect harmony, if not playing perfect basketball. They have a great, ferocious defense and intensity, but they are still trying to find their way on offense and struggling to make all the pieces fit without the number of outside shooters needed to effectively space the floor and create opportunities for their drivers, rollers, and dunkers. That shooting will take a hit if Tobias Harris is forced to miss the game. He is questionable with an ankle sprain.
Game Vitals
When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -4.5
Projected Lineups
DETROIT PISTONS (4–2)
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (3–4)
Ja Morant, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jock Landale, Jaylen Wells, Jaren Jackson Jr.
