Game Preview: Pistons Finish Demoralizing Roadtrip Versus Lakers
The Detroit Pistons(18-24) finish up their West Coast roadtrip tonight in Los Angeles as they face the Los Angeles Lakers(15-29). The game begins at 9:30 PM EST.
https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons/status/820636658823348224
The Los Angeles Lakers started the season off turning many heads. They were above .500 for a good chuck of games but quickly fell off when injuries started to affect the roster. Currently, the Lakers have lost three straight, including their game yesterday to their rival, the Los Angeles Clippers. Clippers' center DeAndre Jordan had his best game of the season, scoring 24 points and grabbing 21 rebounds in the win. The Lakers lost 113-97.
The Lakers starting point guard, D'Angelo Russell, has struggled significantly in his last three games. Averaging 14.9 points per game this season, Russell has been held to single digits in scoring over his last three. He only had five point last night, and had nine points in his two previous games before that.
Los Angeles has dropped their last three games. They are 3-7 in their last ten contests.
The Pistons were embarrassed(again) on Friday night. The Utah Jazz flat-out destroyed Detroit, 110-77. Detroit was led by Tobias Harris, who had 13 points in the defeat. Rodney Hood scored 27 points for the Jazz, going 7-8 from three in the game. George Hill scored 22 points and Gordon Hayward added 20 points.
The Jazz shot over 50 percent from the three-point line in the game, going 16-31 from deep. Detroit's opponents have shot a combined 49.6 percent from the three-point line in their last four games.
This sums up Utah's shooting efficiency:
https://twitter.com/AJohnsonSports/status/820139583102926849
After playing an ugly but close first half, the Pistons were outscored 65-34 in the second half.
The Pistons have also dropped their last three games. In their last ten games, they are 4-6. detroit holds an 8-15 record on the road this season.
Probable Starting Lineups:
Detroit Pistons
PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Reggie Bullock
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Tobias Harris
C: Andre Drummond
Los Angeles Lakers
PG: D'Angelo Russell
SG: Nick Young
SF: Loul Deng
PF: Julius Randle
C: Timofey Mozgov
Injuries:
The Detroit Pistons will likely be without both Kentavious Caldwell-Pope(shoulder) and Jon Leuer(ankle) once again tonight. Caldwell-Pope is listed as doubtful, while Stan van Gundy has stated multiple times he does not expect Leuer to suit up tonight and maybe even past tonight.
Reggie Bullock returned from not only an injury, but a personal matter against the Utah Jazz. Bullock had a solid outing, scoring seven points, dishing out three assists, grabbing two boards, and coming up with two steals.
Luol Deng(rest) did not play against the Clippers yesterday. He is expected to return to the starting lineup tonight against Detroit.
Featured image: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports