The Detroit Pistons, one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams with a dominant start to the season, head to the West Coast to face a struggling Sacramento Kings squad mired in injuries and poor form. Led by Cade Cunningham’s MVP-caliber play, Detroit looks to extend their road success against a Kings team missing key pieces like Domantas Sabonis. This interconference matchup could turn into a blowout if Sacramento’s depleted roster can’t keep pace, but home-court energy at Golden 1 Center might spark an upset bid. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown.
Venue Location
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA. This 17,500-seat arena, opened in 2016, is known for its modern amenities and raucous crowds, though attendance has dipped amid the Kings’ tough season.
Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT local time). The game will be broadcast on League Pass, with local radio on Sactown Sports 1140 AM and 950 AM for Kings fans.
Injury Report
Detroit enters with minimal concerns, while Sacramento is ravaged by absences, including their All-Star center.
Latest updates as of early game day:
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details |
| Detroit Pistons | Ron Holland II | F | Questionable | Left knee soreness |
| Detroit Pistons | Jalen Duren | C | Probable | Left shoulder contusion |
| Sacramento Kings | Domantas Sabonis | C | Out | Right knee injury (sidelined until late January) |
| Sacramento Kings | Devin Carter | G | Questionable | Left ankle sprain |
| Sacramento Kings | Drew Eubanks | C | Out | Left thumb avulsion fracture (re-evaluated in three weeks) |
The Pistons’ depth remains intact, with Cunningham healthy to lead. Sacramento’s frontcourt is decimated without Sabonis and Eubanks, forcing reliance on rookies and backups like Maxime Raynaud.
Player Matchups
This game features a mismatch in talent, with Detroit’s stars poised to exploit Sacramento’s weaknesses, especially in the paint.
Cade Cunningham (DET) vs. De’Aaron Fox (SAC): Cunningham (averaging 25 PPG, 8 APG) is the engine for Detroit’s offense; Fox (24 PPG, 6 APG) brings speed, but his efficiency dips without Sabonis’ screens, potentially leading to turnovers against Detroit’s top-5 defense.
Jalen Duren (DET) vs. Maxime Raynaud/Precious Achiuwa (SAC): Duren (15 PPG, 12 RPG) dominates rebounds; with Sabonis out, Sacramento’s backups will struggle to contain his athleticism inside.
Tobias Harris (DET) vs. Keegan Murray (SAC): Harris (18 PPG) provides veteran scoring; Murray (16 PPG, 35% from three) could stretch the floor, but Detroit’s perimeter defense ranks high in limiting threes.
Bench Battle: Malik Beasley/Ausar Thompson (DET) vs. DeMar DeRozan/Russell Westbrook (SAC): Detroit’s depth edges out, but Sacramento’s vets like DeRozan (if starting) could provide scoring bursts.
Overall, Detroit’s balanced attack should overwhelm a Kings team lacking interior presence.
Recent Team Forms
Detroit is rolling, while Sacramento continues to falter amid injuries.
Detroit Pistons (Last 10 Games): 8-2 record, averaging 118.2 PPG while allowing 109.5. They’ve won 7 of their last 8, including a 110-102 victory over Portland on Dec. 22 after blowing a lead. Road form is strong (7-3), with a +8.7 margin.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Dec 22 | @ POR | W | 110-102 |
| Dec 20 | vs. IND | W | (Recent win) |
| Dec 18 | @ DAL | W | (Win) |
| … | … | 8-2 overall | Avg. +8.7 margin |
Sacramento Kings (Last 10 Games): 3-7 record, averaging 109.8 PPG while allowing 118.4. They’ve lost 5 straight, including a 124-125 defeat to Houston on Dec. 21. Home form is poor (2-8), with defensive breakdowns evident.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Dec 21 | vs. HOU | W | 125-124 |
| Dec 18 | @ POR | L | (Recent loss) |
| Dec 14 | @ MIN | L | (Loss) |
| … | … | 3-7 overall | Avg. -8.6 margin |
Series History
The all-time series is nearly even, with the Kings leading 178-176 in 354 regular-season games. Recently, Sacramento has had the upper hand: 6-4 in the last 10 meetings. This season’s first matchup hasn’t occurred yet, but in 2024: Kings won both (133-120 on Feb. 7, 131-110 on Jan. 9). Over the last 8 at Golden 1 Center: Pistons 5-3. Games average 228 points, with unders hitting in 6 of 10.
Betting Trends
Detroit is 18-11 ATS overall, 10-5 ATS on the road, and 19-4 ATS as favorites. Kings are 10-19 ATS, 4-10 ATS at home, and 3-15 ATS as underdogs.
Over has hit in 6 of Detroit’s last 10 (60%) and 7 of Sacramento’s last 10 (70%). Head-to-head overs: 4-6 in last 10. Detroit 7-3 ATS in last 10 road games; Kings 1-4 ATS in last 5 overall and 2-8 ATS vs. winning teams.
Game Odds
Detroit Pistons – 8.5
Sacramento Kings 227.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 22, 2025
