Pistons look to play spoiler as Lakers settle in to a friendly stretch in the schedule
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to make a statement, and the Detroit Pistons are hoping to spoil Los Angeles’ extended homestand. The Lakers, currently winners of three in a row, play 10 of their next 13 games at the friendly confines of Crypto. Expanding out a bit, in a 19-game stretch that started Dec. 19, the Lakers only play outside the state of California twice.
Already 2-0 in that stretch thanks to back-to-back wins in Sacramento against the reeling Kings, Los Angeles only has significant travel once — a trip to Texas to face the Rockets and Mavericks. Otherwise every game is at home, the concluded trip to Sacramento, or visiting the Warriors or Clippers. that is the kind of rest a veteran-led team like the Lakers are desperate for.
The Pistons will look to upset that narrative and play spoiler. Detroit is coming off of one of its better wins of the season against the Suns, had star guard Cade Cunningham get named player of the week, and they will look to their momentum going.
Game Vitals
When: 10:30 p.m. ET
Where: Crypto.com
Arena, Los Angeles, California
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons +6
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (12-17)
Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jalen Duren
Los Angeles Lakers (16-12)
Austin Reaves, Max Christie, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Anthony Davis