Pistons begin four-game road trip against West’s worst team
The Utah Jazz are at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. They field the league’s worst defense and a bottom-10 offense. As the Detroit Pistons embark on a four-game road swing out West, you couldn’t ask for a better first opponent. However, in the NBA there is sometimes no rhyme or reason to wins and losses. The Jazz have only won 15 games all season, but their previous three wins (all since Feb. 12) have been against the Lakers , Rockets, and Timberwolves. That is three pretty darn good teams. Within that span, they have also lost to the Blazers, Kings, and Pelicans. So, yeah, the NBA.
Game Vitals
When: 9 p.m. ET
Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -9
Analysis
Tonight’s game represents a quality get-right opportunity for Cade Cunningham, who hasn’t been as impactful in some recent games compared to his best extended stretch of the season. Coming out of the All-Star break, defenses seem more focused than ever to get the ball out of Cade’s hands. Cunningham is unselfishly obliging, and his teammates have stepped up with quality shots and taking advantage of the opportunities presented to them. Cunningham, however, hasn’t been finishing as well or hitting jumpers as crisply. Ultimately, it just seems like he can’t establish the rhythm that helps lock him in and bend defenses to his will.
Utah’s defense could be a welcome salve in that area. Also, if you look at where the Jazz are struggling the most, it is in the areas Detroit most looks to exploit. Tonight, the NBA’s 29th-ranked defense against the fast break goes against Detroit’s second-ranked attack. Utah also struggles against teams who like to move the ball, and Detroit has been adept at moving the rock around and finding the open shooter or open cutter. Jalen Duren could feast a bit tonight between the 3-point arc and the restricted area. Walker Kessler is a beast in the middle, but he doesn’t want to go out and guard in space. The Jazz also give up more than 40 3-point attempts per game (last in the NBA). If the Pistons can successfully get the ball moving, there should be plenty of open opportunities for the likes of Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. Utah also turns the ball over a ton, ranking last in the NBA, and could create easy scoring opportunities that help Detroit turn a small lead into a big lead in short order.
Defensively, the Pistons need to ensure their bigs avoid foul trouble and don’t give up high-percentage looks to Walker Kessler and John Collins. If you limit what the big can do, the Jazz don’t have the shooting to compete on most nights. Lauri Markkanen is struggling this season (just 42% overall and 34% from deep), and Keyonte George shows promise, but he’s hitting 46% of his twos this season.
There is also the question of who will be able to suit up for the Jazz against the Pistons. In Utah’s 128-121 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, they were missing Markkanen, Collins, Kessler, Collin Sexton, and Jordan Collins. As of this writing, the Jazz have not yet submitted their injury report, but they will be playing the second game in two nights.
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (34-27)
Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren
Utah Jazz (15-45)
Isaiah Collier, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, Walker Kessler
Question of the Game
How many 3-point field goals for Malik Beasley against the Jazz?