The Detroit Pistons are playing early today, an entree before the main course of the Detroit Lions faceoff with the Washington Commanders in the NFC playoffs. A full day of Detroit sports hopefully means we will get to enjoy a raucous crowd. It’s also the latest homecoming to Grand Rapids native and Detroit superfan Devin Booker. I’d put a large sum of money on Booker looking forward to, and probably attending, the Lions game than he is to this matchup of two .500-ish teams.
Game Vitals
When: 4 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons +2
Analysis
When and how will this Phoenix Suns experiment finish its implosion? It feels inevitable. The real mystery is what the fallout will be. It could go in several directions. The Suns prefer to find a patsy to take on Bradley Beal so the franchise can limp along with Kevin Durant, Booker, and Jimmy Butler. If that doesn’t work, then maybe Kevin Durant mercenaries himself into another contending situation. If that doesn’t work out, maybe Booker will try to force himself out of Phoenix. Certainly, the lowest probability, but if he forces himself out, the Pistons seem like one of his ideal landing spots. Again, not likely. Just putting it out there because I know a lot of fans are thinking about it … regularly.
About the game itself? The Pistons will be looking to rebound from a truly disappointing performance against the Indiana Pacers. They could look to do their damage inside as Phoenix has struggled to control the paint all season. It eventually led to a total benching of Jusuf Nurkic and trading for Nick Richards.
The Suns are the worst team in the NBA at scoring in the paint. they are bottom 10 in points allowed in the paint, in offensive rebounding, in defensive reboundign, and in opponent rebounding. A rebound doesn’t all have to be on the shoulders of Cade Cunningham, who was terrible for large stretches of the Pacers game. Help could come in the form of a dominant showing from Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. If they dictate the pace and tone of the game, the Pistons could walk away with a victory. And give Booker something to think about while he waits for the Lions game to start.
Projected Lineup
Detroit Pistons (21-20)
Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Phoenix Suns (20-20)
Tyus Jones, Devin Booker, Ryan Dunn, Kevin Durant, Nick Richards
Question of the Game
Who won’t be a member of the Phoenix Suns after the trade deadline? By the opening night next season?