The Detroit Pistons will square off with the Washington Wizards in back-to-back games. Detroit looks to improve its road record as Washington hosts the matchups.
Detroit remains the one seed in the Eastern Conference after an uneven last 10 games. They are 3.5 games over on the Boston Celtics, who are getting healthier.
With 15 games remaining in the regular season, Detroit controls its own path to the top seed and homecourt advantage throughout the East side of the bracket. Take care of the Wizards
to keep the separation.
Game Vitals
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
When: 7:00 PM
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons (-17.5)
Analysis
Homecourt should be something the Pistons strive to keep. They are a young, energetic, chaotic group that thrives on punishing opponents. Detroit isn’t a high-powered offensive group with loads of playoff experience.
When you are behind the eight-ball offensively and a lesser-experienced group, leaning on your fans in the postseason is a needed advantage. Homecourt advantage doesn’t guarantee playoff success, but it’s not easy for opponents to play in front of a ruckus Detroit crowd.
With the 22nd hardest schedule remaining, Detroit has a clear path to stay No. 1. The Celtics have the eighth hardest schedule and ground to make up to catch Detroit. In reality, you still have to play and win the games no matter who’s on the schedule.
Detroit might have gotten a look at the Wizards with Trae Young, but he exited last night’s game with a right quad contusion. One would think Young could bring some offensive juice to the Wizards when they are trying to compete.
Washington will be without Kyshawn George and Anthony Davis. Those two will be integral pieces for them moving forward. Alex Sarr may be their most intriguing piece, but he hasn’t played 25 minutes in a game since early February. It’s hard to gauge how much he’ll play on a nightly basis due to Washington having its eyes set on the draft.
Detroit isn’t fully whole with Isaiah Stewart out with a calf strain. Ausar Thompson being back in the lineup is major, but losing Stew is a huge loss. They’ll need him healthy and sharp for the postseason.
Games against the Grizzlies, Nets, and now Wizards are opportunities for the others to get going. It’s common knowledge how teams will defend Cade Cunningham in the playoffs. Teams are going to attempt to force others to beat them by throwing multiple bodies at Cade consistently, so the others will have opportunities to take advantage.
Tobias Harris did in the Toronto Raptors L. Those corner 3s can swing the momentum in a playoff game. The shooters need to provide more. Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter can bounce back against a Wizards team that allows guys to build confidence.
Before the snipers in Detroit start flowing, the Pistons need to do what got them here. Toronto out-hustled Detroit in the last outing. Dominating on the glass and on the paint are staples in Detroit’s success this year. Get back to doing what got you here and continue the homecourt quest.
Lineups
Detroit Pistons (48-19): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Washington Wizards (16-51): Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Will Riley, Julian Reese
Question of the day
What would the guard rotation look like if it were up to you?
