NBA Preview: Los Angeles Lakers (10-8) at Detroit Pistons (2-15)

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The Detroit Pistons can set a franchise record on Wednesday night, but they don’t want any part of it.

The Pistons tied their franchise mark for most consecutive losses in a season on Monday when they were thrashed at home by the Washington Wizards.

Detroit will try to avert a 15th consecutive defeat when it hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

The Wizards were saddled with a nine-game losing streak entering Monday’s contest but easily won 126-107.

A team meeting was held after the Pistons fell apart in the fourth quarter against Indiana on Friday. The meeting had little effect, at least in the short run.

Frustration mounted as the Pistons misfired from the perimeter. They hit just 8 of 38 shots from 3-point range vs. Washington.

Their problems went well beyond poor shooting, according to Pistons coach Monty Williams.

The Lakers had the same issue in Philadelphia on Monday. They were blown out 138-94 — the most lopsided loss of LeBron James’ career.

Los Angeles is only 3-6 on the road this season. The Sixers were in control from the start, establishing a 13-point lead by the end of the first quarter.

For the game, the 76ers shot 50.5 percent from the field and 47.8 percent on 3-point attempts. They outrebounded the Lakers 48-32 and committed just five turnovers. Los Angeles had 17 giveaways, leading to 24 Sixers points.

James set the NBA’s all-time minutes mark (regular season and postseason) — 66,319 — to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s total of 66,297.

The 30 minutes James played on Monday were not pleasant.

The Lakers are in the early stages of a stretch in which they play 10 of 12 games on the road. They are dealing with some injuries — rotation players Jarred Vanderbilt (heel), Gabe Vincent (knee), Cam Reddish (groin) and Rui Hachimura (nasal fracture) didn’t play in Philadelphia.

That doesn’t excuse what happened in their latest road loss.

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NBA Editor
Profile: A dedicated NBA analyst with a comprehensive understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player development pipelines, and organizational dynamics. This columnist delivers in‑depth coverage that blends film study, advanced metrics, and historical context to explain how teams and stars shape the modern game. Background: With extensive experience covering professional basketball, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on roster construction, coaching philosophy, and league‑wide trends. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and breaking down the nuances of an 82‑game season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive schemes Player evaluation, draft analysis, and trade‑deadline movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both casual fans and analytically driven readers. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the NBA’s fast‑moving, star‑driven landscape.