The Detroit Pistons have shown significant improvement after enduring the worst season in franchise history, but they still struggle to win consecutive games. They’ll look to achieve that for the fourth time this season when they host the Utah Jazz on Thursday.
Detroit Pistons:
- Recent Performance: Coming off an entertaining 125-124 overtime victory against Miami. Despite blowing a 19-point fourth-quarter lead and trailing by eight in overtime, Tim Hardaway Jr. saved the Pistons with three consecutive 3-pointers, and Cade Cunningham scored their last basket.
- Cade Cunningham: Playing at an All-Star level, averaging 23.5 points, 9.7 assists, and 7.5 rebounds. In five games this month, he’s averaging 23.4 assists.
- Injury Concerns: Starters Tobias Harris (thumb) and Jaden Ivey (knee) missed Monday’s game, and key reserve Isaiah Stewart (knee) didn’t play in the second half.
Last season, the Pistons finished with a franchise-worst 14-68 record. They need just three more victories this season to match that total. However, they have only won consecutive games twice so far.
Utah Jazz:
- Struggles: Utah’s season is mirroring Detroit’s struggles from last season. The Jazz have lost 12 of their past 14 games and have the second-worst record in the Western Conference (5-20).
- Defensive Issues: Their defense has been poor during their current three-game losing streak, conceding 141 points to Sacramento, 134 to Phoenix, and 144 to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers took a 24-point lead in the first quarter.
- Lauri Markkanen: Key to the Jazz’s success, Markkanen has reached the 20-point mark only once in the last seven games.
The Thunder and Magic both allow an average of 103.5 points per game, the best in the NBA. Oklahoma City averages 115.6 points per game, while Orlando scores 107.1.
