Detroit Pistons Game Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers

The Detroit Pistons and Lakers will clash on Friday in a game both teams need to win to steady their wobbling starts to the 2022-23 season. The Lakers are 14th in the West with a 3-10 record, and the Pistons are 15th in the East with a 3-12 record. The Lakers are under severe pressure to prove that they can do well with Lebron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook playing together, while the Pistons is at the start of a rebuild with their young star Cade Cunningham and Jerami Grant as the core and are under less pressure to win now. Both teams need to start winning games if they intend to salvage their seasons. Here are some of the main talking points leading up to the game on Friday.

Cade Cunningham is out with a shin injury.

Cunningham has missed the last two games and will miss the game on Friday due to shin soreness. Piston’s Coach, Dwayne Casey, says resting Cunningham is a precautionary measure to give him time to get over the pain and soreness. The Pistons are also missing Isaiah Stewart, who is expected to be out for 2-3 weeks, and Cory Joseph is doubtful with soreness in his left hip. Cunningham is too important a Player for the Pistons to risk in an inconsequential game early in the season.

The Lakers expected to have Lebron James back for the game. 

The Lakers should have the big three of James, Davis, and Westbrook playing together. Lebron James has been out for the past few games with a thigh injury; he is, however, expected to recover in time for the game on Friday. Dennis Schroder is, however, still doubtful and is unlikely to play on Friday.

Bottom of the table clash 

Both teams will be battling for an advantage to gain some momentum moving forward. The Lakers have been poor on both ends of the floor, which has resulted in them being 3-10 for the season and close to the bottom of the table in the West. The Pistons have also not crowned themselves in glory and sit comfortably at the bottom in the East.

Players to watch

With the Detroit Piston’s talisman Cunningham not playing on Friday, Jerami Grant, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Marvin Bagley III will have to lead from the front for the Pistons to have a chance against the faltering Lakers Team. Despite their poor start to the season, the Lakers have three of the best players in the NBA on their roster (Lebron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook). If they all play to their potential, this could be disastrous for the short-handed Pistons. The Pistons will, however, hope that they continue to falter on the defensive end and miss their shots from downtown. If this happens, the Piston will have a fighting chance; however, if King James and company turn up in top form, we might see a blowout for the Lakers.

The game begins at 10:30 pm EST on Friday, November 18th; please tune in to support the Pistons!