Pistons vs Nuggets preview: Red-hot Detroit ready to host surging Denver

The Pistons will look to extend their winning streak to nine games

This time a week ago, the Detroit Pistons were an improving team that had trouble beating the league’s best. Since then, they’ve notched a pair of wins over a pair of good teams in the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics .

Enter, the Denver Nuggets.

Detroit will face off against Nikola Jokic and company one final time this season at LCA on Friday. The Nuggets are coming off a hard-luck loss across Lake Michigan against the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday, their third game in four days.

Can a fired up Pistons team upend a tired Nuggets squad to extend their winning streak to nine games? We’ll find out.

Game Vitals

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons +1.5

Analysis

Prior to their loss in Milwaukee, the Nuggets had won 9 of their last 10 games.

It’s taken a bit of time, but Denver shook off some early-season inconsistencies and really come into form over the last month. The main reason for that is obviously that man in the middle, Jokic. The three-time MVP might be having his best season yet, averaging 29.2 points 12.6 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game. That might be the most nonchalant triple-double average ever. Jamal Murray has been steady too at 21.1 points per game.

It’s the role players that are interesting in this one. Sure, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. are offering the same production in the front court, but it’s a young guy and an old guy that are giving Denver a different look.

Russell Westbrook has been left for dead countless times since 2020, but each time he finds a way to stick around. With Denver, his unique skillset has been a perfect fit as he’s given them a boost off the bench and as a spot starter. He fits with Joker and he’s really embraced life as a role player — vital for a guy in his 17th (!!) year.

Christian Braun, though, has been awesome this year. The former Kansas guard has steadily grown as a starter after giving the Nuggets nice production off the bench during their title run in 2023. I just like the way he plays. It’s 3-and-D with attitude and the ability to yam on anybody… as Brook Lopez learned the hard way on Thursday:

Detroit will have its hands full here. This game comes down to discipline from the two centers, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. Hell, I’ll add Paul Reed in, too. They need to defend Jokic without fouling because the Pistons cannot win this game small.

Offensively, they probably can’t win without Duren’s playmaking, either. He needs to play smart and I’m trusting him more and more because he’s showing improved maturity from that perspective.

I like the size advantage in the backcourt with Cade Cunningham against Jamal Murray. I think if Dennis Schroder is back, the Pistons are going to be able to score against a Denver defense that has given up 119 points per game over their last five games.

Really, this game is gonna come down to energy and effort. The Pistons will give 110% and the Nugs are coming off a tough loss and travel. Scheduling losses are a part of the NBA, so if the Nuggets find themselves getting shelled in the second half (like Boston was the other night) I can see Michael Malone call it early to get his guys rest.

It’s wild that I’m saying this seriously, but that’s where we’re at with the Pistons. They’re good enough to beat anybody, anytime.

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (33-26)
Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Denver Nuggets (38-22)
Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic

Question of the Day

The Pistons are sizzlin’ right now, but what is one area you’d like them to continue to shore up?