Two games. Two losses. Now, here come the defending NBA champs as the Boston Celtics head to Little Caesars Arena, hoping to continue their sharp start to the new season.
The Pistons head back to Detroit after a quick and unsuccessful trip to Cleveland. Detroit’s 113-101 loss to the Cavaliers felt pretty grim. After two games, the new Pistons already need a pick-me-up. The bad news is, it’s likely not here just yet.
Cade Cunningham has scored 61 points through two games. He looks every bit the part of an All-Star. Defense, cold stretches, turnovers and inconsistencies prevented Cunningham’s scoring outbursts from resulting in a win thus far, though.
Now, the Celtics are the toughest test of them all. But, hopefully, the Pistons can take some lessons from their first two games and try to catch Jayson Tatum and company. Or at least, keep it competitive.
Game Vitals
When: Saturday, October 26 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit (still getting used to it)
Odds: Pistons +13.5
Analysis
The second leg of a road back-to-back is always tough. This one feels tougher though, when you have to come back home after a frustrating loss for a date with Boston. If you’re an optimist, this could be a let down spot for the Celtics before they head back home to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.
Boston is a 13.5 point favorite in Detroit. It’s the Mt. Everest of NBA tests for this Pistons team. But hey, you never know.
Cunningham has looked every bit the part of a future All-Star, maybe as soon as this season, through two games. Yes, turnovers were an issue against Cleveland, but hopefully that was just a slight blip on the map. Plus, Cunningham is the one who kept the Pistons in the game, dropping 33 points and dishing out six assists.
Both Pistons big men Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart faced foul trouble against the Cavs which resulted in a handful of minutes for third big Paul Reed. Stewart only played 11 minutes in Cleveland, leaving plenty of gas in the tank for night two of the back-to-back.
Through the first two games, the center spot has been funky for Detroit. First and foremost, defense is an issue. Duren looked solid in the first half of the opener against Indiana, but everything after is a different story. He had a nice block on Georges Niang in the fourth quarter vs. the Cavs, but other than that, the rim protection has been non-existent. It’s not just Duren, too. The roster isn’t exactly stuffed with staunch rim protectors.
On defense, the group has had trouble with Indiana and Cleveland’s stretch bigs. Boston’s Al Horford will get up some 3-point attempts, but hopefully the 17th year veteran is easier to keep up with than Indiana’s Myles Turner and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley.
To state the obvious, the Pistons are sorely missing Ausar Thompson. The second-year wing is awaiting clearance from the league to return to play after a blood clot ended his rookie season prematurely. Until then, everyone else needs to step up. Rookie Ron Holland has seen a fair share of minutes out of the gate in the absence of Thompson. Holland has made mistakes that come along with any first-year player, but he’s also brought a level of intensity any time he’s on the floor.
The Pistons have nothing to lose against the Celtics. No one expects Detroit to win. It’s the second leg of a back-to-back, you traveled last night and you’re playing the defending champs who brought nearly their whole team back. Plus, the loss to Cleveland less than 24 hours earlier may be an early wakeup call for areas that need clean up.
Detroit needs to play like they have nothing to lose. Then maybe, just maybe, Cunningham’s heroics will result in a surprise win.
Heck, we probably know that at the very least, Jaylen Brown is looking past the Pistons, right?
Jaylen Brown:
“A night we playing, don’t mean to disrespect them but, the Detroit Pistons who have struggled over the last year or two, we gonna play through Payton, let him go for 30. Play through Sam, let him shoot 10 threes tonight. We gonna still win the game” pic.twitter.com/t1Cgu6lgdI
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) September 24, 2024
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (0-2)
Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Tim Hardaway Jr, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Boston Celtics (2-0)
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford
Question of the Day
Will J.B. Bickerstaff try to create more offensive opportunities for his big men?