Pistons honor Chauncey Billups and look to reach .500
Tonight, the Detroit Pistons celebrate one of their own while also trying to beat him. Chaunce Billups, head coach of the visiting Portland Trail Blazers , will be honored for his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Billups had a storied career, and his best years were in Detroit. It was in Detroit Billups found a home after going from team to team to team early in his career. It was in Detroit where Billups became Mr. Big Shot. And it was in Detroit where Billups became an All-Star, an NBA Finals MVP, and a champion.
The Pistons have a game to win, however, and doing so would put the team at .500 in January for the first time since Jan. 19, 2018. The Pistons will likely have to do it without the help of Ausar Thompson, the breakout star of Detroit’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves , who is questionable with an illness.
Thompson’s minutes will likely be absorbed by the return of Simone Fontecchio and maybe a little more time for Ron Holland.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -6.5
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (17-18)
Cade Cunningham, Wendell Moore, Tim Hardaway, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Portland Trailblazers (12-22)
Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Deandre Ayton
Question of the Game
Bonus Question: What is your favorite Chauncey Billups memory?