The Detroit Pistons face a Wizards team who’s in a position they’ve finally escaped.
The Detroit Pistons welcome the Washington Wizards into their home to kick off a three-game home stand. The Wizards are an Eastern Conference-worst 13-50, but their fans have reasons to be optimistic.
Detroit is still chasing the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks for better seeding in the postseason. The Pistons cannot get caught up in standings noise and look past Washington. They need to handle their business tonight. Tuesday’s game is the first of back-to-back Wizards matchups—don’t play with your food and go 2-0 in this spot, Detroit.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -15
Analysis
In a sense, Washington is similar to Detroit team-building-wise; they’re just engineered backward. The Pistons’ rebuild truly began when Cade Cunningham fell into their laps at number one in 2021. He’s been the superstar needed to win in the NBA. They’ve rounded out a roster around him, good enough to compete for the first time this year.
The Wizards have a solid group of “others” already. Their young talent consists of Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Bub Carrington. One of these players could pop and reach star level, but even if they don’t, most of these guys project to be high-impact role players at the least.
Washington doesn’t have a Cunningham-level star yet, but they should obtain a great player in this deep 2025 draft (Pistons fans not obsessing over mocks this late into the season must be an amazing feeling).
Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper would change the trajectory of this team. Jordan Poole’s prime could do the same thing. In all honesty, he’s still only 25 and is having a career year. He could get better.
One could claim the addition of NBA vets Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, and Tim Hardaway Jr. is the biggest non-Cade reason why Detroit went from 14 wins to a playoff lock. The Wizards swapped the shot-chucking “I’m putting my game first ” Kyle Kuzma for Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart.
Middleton and Smart have been great vets and a breath of fresh air in DC. They are assisting in building something greater than themselves.
Since the OGs duo made their debut in DC, Washington has been a better but not great 4-5. The offense is still lagging behind, but they have the 9th-best defense in this stretch. That’ll work long term. They’re both questionable on Tuesday night.
Coulibaly and Sarr are their young defensive catalysts. If Coulibaly suits up (he left Monday’s game with hamstring tightness), he should take on the Cade matchup and look to force more turnovers on the Pistons superstar.
Cade has averaged 6.6 TOs over the last five, but he’s also sporting a 65 TS%.
Ideally, you want to see him get pickpocketed less while Detroit ramps up for the playoffs, but his brilliant shot-making and foul-drawing have juiced his efficiency and will be key factors in any playoff series the Pistons are in.
Cade’s shot-making is highly important, but Tobias Harris’ isn’t far behind. He’s the Pistons bailout option. The turnaround post fades have been cash in the clutch. He’s been dependable down the stretch. So has Dennis Schröder, who’s acted as a cooling kit whenever DET is rushing and needs to slow things down.
These Wizards matchups are wins you have to have. Don’t overlook them like you did in the first Utah Jazz matchup this year. Do the Wizards like you did the Jazz in the second outing and display that there are levels in this league.
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (36-29)
Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway Jr., Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Washington Wizards (13-50)
Jordan Poole, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George (Middleton if he goes), Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr
Question of the Day:
Who’s been the best Cade Cunningham defender this year?