Pistons vs Kings preview: Attack another California team

There’s nothing like two middle teams going into action the day after Christmas. A gift for everyone. These teams are eager to prove that they too can play on the big stage. The Detroit Pistons have rolled before the Christmas Day slate. They are riding a two-game winning streak over formidable foes and look to run around another California team in the 13-17 Sacramento Kings.

Vital games

When: 10 p.m. ET
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Clock: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Stamps +6

Analysis

Hoping to avoid missing a fourth straight game, Iasiah Stewart is questionable to lace up tonight. Ron Holland joins him on the injury report with an illness and is also questionable. Jalen Duren, who has seen an increase in minutes with Stew out, will likely play as he deals with an ankle sprain.

Being without the big two would be massive against a team like the Kings that has an All-Star center in Domontas Sabonis. The versatile big man is contributing 21 points, 13.5 boards and six assists on 60/41/79 splits. He is dealing with an illness and is unsure whether to go tonight. The Kings will lose some of their one-two punch if Sabonis is out. Paul Reed, who noticeably frustrated Anthony Davis, will be a thorn in Sabonis’ side if Sabonis plays and one of Stew or Duren doesn’t.

The other member of that duo will certainly stress the defense tonight. De’Aaron Fox has been a blur since hitting the field in 2017 and remains one of the fastest players in the league. At 6-3, Fox routinely blows by defenders to get to the rim, where he shoots a wing-like 71%. Jaden Ivey, Asaur Thompson and Holland (if he plays) need extra grip on their kicks tonight. Holland and Thompson specifically mothered Lakers game and helped bring it home.

Cade Cunningham bought it on that side of the ball against LeBron and company. It’s contagious when your franchise pillar contests shots and makes another effort. Cade’s shots weren’t falling against a suspect Lakers defense, so expect things to level out for the 15th-ranked Kings defense without stopping (Keegan Murray is solid and Keon Ellis isn’t playing as much as he should).

DeMar DeRozan isn’t helping the Kings’ defensive infrastructure, but man, is he still a bucket. His 20 points per match, the Kings have plus-1 with them on and off the pitch, per PBP statistics. Derozan’s methodical mid-range approach hasn’t slowed the Kings — they were 6th last year compared to 8th now. It may very well be a high scoring thriller.

The Pistons’ offense has been slightly better than their hot-start defense. The offense hasn’t been anything to cheer about, but they are coming off two impressive offensive performances against the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns. Ivey was solid in those two outings after missing the two prior to those games. His consistency is a perennial talking point and he could put together another stellar performance against a Kings team struggling to keep up off-guards.

Expected lineups

Detroit Pistons (13-17)

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

Sacramento Kings (13-17)

De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, DeMar Derozan, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis

Today’s question:

How will the Pistons use their cap space as the trade deadline approaches?