Los Angeles Lakers (46–25) vs. Detroit Pistons (51–19) | Game 72 of 82
WHERE TO WATCH AND WHAT TIME
Date: Monday, March 23
Tip-off: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Little Caesars Arena—Detroit, Michigan
TV: Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
GAME PREVIEW
The Lakers (45–25) battle the Pistons (51–19), the best team in the Eastern Conference, in the fifth matchup of their six-game road trip.
Los Angeles is undefeated on the road trip as they pushed their win streak to nine games on Saturday after stealing a win in Orlando behind a game-winning 3-pointer from Luke Kennard.
It was the Lakers' fourth game-winner this season and second in two weeks, with Luka Dončić hitting one against the Nuggets on March 14 in an overtime win over Denver.
In the Lakers' win over the Magic on Saturday, Dončić had yet another 30-point game, finishing with 33 points, eight assists, and five rebounds.
Dončić has put up 30 or more points in the Lakers' nine-game win streak, including two triple-doubles.
Dončić was given a technical foul in Orlando after jawing back and forth with the Magic's Goga Bitadze. It was Dončić’s 16th of the season, which put his playing in Detroit in jeopardy, serving a suspension.
The Lakers appealed the technical and the NBA rescinded the call, making him available in Detroit.
The Pistons come in on a three-game win streak and six wins in their last seven games.
Tonight’s matchup marks the second and final regular-season meeting between the teams this season.
The Lakers are 22-13 on the road, while the Pistons are 26-8 at home.
WHY THIS GAME MATTERS
The Lakers still stand at No. 3 in the West, two and a half games ahead of the Rockets, who are right behind them at No. 4.
L.A. must contiue to stack these wins to secure the third seed as the top two are a lock between the Thunder and Spurs.
L.A. holds a season tiebreaker over the Timberwolves, Rockets and Nuggets.
KEY MATCHUP
Lakers defensive gameplan against Detroit without Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham is expected to miss an extended amount of time after suffering a collapsed lung. He will be reevaluated in two weeks.
The Pistons have not missed a beat in his absence, going to the first-time all-star big man, Jalen Duren.
In the last two games Duren has led the Pistons in scoring. He’s averaging 19.2 points and
WHAT TO AVOID
Inconsistencies at the free throw line.
In the Lakers' thriller win in Orlando their mistakes and woes were washed away by Kennard’s clutch 3.
L.A. shot 66% from the charity tripe against the Magic, missing 10 of their 29 attempts.
The Pistons are one of the most physical teams in the NBA and because of that, they send their opponents to the free throw line the most, allowing 27.2 attempts (NBA most) per game from the foul line.
The Lakers need to stay consistent from here to have an advantage.
NOTABLE OPPONENT RANKS AMONG THE NBA
The Pistons' current ranking:
9th (116.9) in offensive rating
2nd (108.8) in defensive rating
Other rankings:
PTS — 8th (117.4)
3PM — 28th (48%)
3P% — 21st (34.8%)
FG% — 7th (48%)
REB — 8th (45.8)
SEASON SERIES
Game 1 — Lakers 128-106 loss vs. Detroit on Dec. 30
INJURY REPORT
Lakers:
Rui Hachimura (right calf soreness): Out
Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness): Out
Pistons:
Cade Cunningham (chest): Out
Isaiah Steward (calf): Out
Wendell Moore Jr.: Out
Marcus Sasser (hip): Out
THREADS FOR THE GAME
The Lakers will wear their gold uniform on the road, while the Pistons will wear their blue Icon Edition uniform.
NEXT MATCHUP
The Lakers head to Indiana next on Wednesday to finish off their six-game road trip.