Pistons vs Jazz preview: Features Markkanen, contribution to Utah’s tank

The Detroit Pistons are hosting Utah Jazz tonight for their final home game of 2024 before embarking on an extended West Coast road trip to close out the calendar year. Detroit’s upcoming road game features Phoenix Suns, LA LakersThe Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets, all teams that will compete to stay afloat in a crowded, competitive Western Conference.

If the Pistons want to boost their own play-in/playoff odds, win games against teams that already have their eyes on 2025 NBA Draft will be decisive. Enter Utah JazzThe Jazz currently sit at 5-20 and have lost eight of their last nine games, most of which have been by double digits.

Detroit narrowly beat the Miami Heat in OT earlier this week, but they have yet to find a true winning cadence. If Detroit can defeat Utah and enter their road trip with a couple of W’s in their pocket, they might use that newfound mojo to make some waves out west.

Vital games

When: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Clock: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -4

Analysis

Unlike the last two years, where the Jazz found themselves strangely competitive through a third of the season (before ultimately pulling the plug to salvage a mid-lottery pick), this year they’ve fully embraced the idea.

They sit at or near the bottom of some major statistical categories, including offensive rating (24th), defensive rating (dead last), net rating (28th), turnovers (dead last) and assists to turnover ratio (dead last). Side note; If you’re surprised that there are teams out there that turn the ball over more than the Pistons, you’re not alone.

While those stats aren’t anything to write home about, they have players and then some strengths it could bother Detroit. Utah lets it fly from three; they shoot almost 40 attempts per game and has five rotation players (three starters) hitting the long ball at a clip of 38% or better. This game could bode well for Lauri Markkanen, who is currently averaging 18.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Stewart is listed as day-to-day along with Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey.

Markkanen is a matchup nightmare for most teams, but he could be ultra-effective if left alone beyond the three-point line against the likes of Jalen Duren and Paul Reed. He’s also a low mismatch against Detroit’s smaller forwards, so paying extra attention to Markkanen and sending help when needed could be crucial if Detroit wants to end their 2024 homestand on a positive note.

For Detroit, it would be great to see if they can continue to unleash Ausar Thompson, who is coming off his best game of the season this past Monday (19 points, 9 boards, 4 steals). In the Miami game, Thompson was his typical menacing self on defense, solid in transition and even knocked down a few jumpers while shooting in rhythm.

Teams still won’t guard Thompson from deep, nor should they, but he shouldn’t allow that to change his decision-making in the half court. He should find himself in some favorable matchups against Utah’s not-so-fleet-of-foot frontcourt, which lacks the speed to stay ahead of him should he drive to the basket with intent.

Look out for Malik Beasley, Cade Cunningham and Tim Hardaway Jr. along with Thompson. Detroit’s best three-point shooter has made a total of 8 threes per game. game at a 39% clip and will be matched up against a Utah Jazz team that ranks in the bottom four of the league in team three point defense.

Expected lineups

Detroit (11-16)

Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Utah (5-20)

Collin Sexton, Keyonte George, John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler

Today’s question

Detroit’s end-of-game scenarios have been hard on the eyes, to say the least. Why have they been so ineffective when trying to close out a game?