The Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons meet for the second and final time in the regular season on Monday. The Pistons won the previous showdown 128-106 in LA on Dec. 30. Cade Cunningham led the way with 27 points and 11 assists, while Marcus Sasser had 19 off the bench on 5 of 8 shots.
Luka Doncic matched up well against his counterpart, scoring 30 points and dishing 11 assists. His supporting cast, including LeBron James, wasn’t as effective. Los Angeles also struggled to match Detroit’s physicality. Several changes have occurred since then as Detroit deals with Cade Cunningham’s indefinite absence and the Lakers find their identity on both ends.
It will be intriguing to see if that yields a different outcome in this matchup at Detroit.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons Details
Spectrum SportsNet, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit and TV-20 will locally televise the Lakers vs. Pistons showdown. NBA League Pass will stream the contest online globally. The game will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons Odds
Moneyline: Lakers -145, Pistons +118
Spread: Lakers -2.5 (-110), Pistons +2.5 (-110)
Total over/under: Lakers o226.5 (-107), Pistons u226.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons Preview
The Lakers enter this clash with a 46-25 record. They have won nine straight games, their longest winning streak this season. Los Angeles is third offensively with a 121.9 rating and 10th on defense with a 113.1 rating. The improved defense has been the difference-maker in this stretch and will continue to have a say in Monday’s contest against Detroit.
Meanwhile, the Pistons have won six of their last seven following a four-game losing streak. They have won three in a row without All-Star Cade Cunningham, who has been dealing with a collapsed lung since Thursday. Detroit has had the best net rating (+16.7) during this seven-game stretch.
The offense is firing away at a league-best 124.5 efficiency and the defense is top-three with a 108.4 rating. However, the Pistons have also faced weaker opponents, with only one win coming against a .500 team or better; the 76ers without Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. The only loss came against the Raptors, who are 39-31.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons Injury Reports
Lakers
The Lakers face key injury concerns as Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart have joined the report. They are questionable to play as Hachimura is dealing with right calf soreness and Smart has right ankle soreness. Meanwhile, Maxi Kleber could return as he’s questionable after missing the last seven games with a back injury.
Pistons
The Pistons also have significant absentees. Cade Cunningham remains out, while Marcus Sasser and Isaiah Stewart will join him on the sidelines. Sasser has a hip injury and Stewart is dealing with a left calf strain.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons Starting Lineups
Lakers
PG – Luka Doncic, SG – Austin Reaves, SF – Marcus Smart*, PF – LeBron James, C – Deandre Ayton
Pistons
PG – Daniss Jenkins, SG – Duncan Robinson, SF – Ausar Thompson, PF – Tobias Harris, C – Jalen Duren
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons Prediction
The Lakers are 2.5-point favorites according to the oddsmakers. They have been out-executing their opponents in close games and with the Pistons playing without Cade Cunningham, it’s a wiser option to pick the Lakers to win.
However, fatigue could kick in at any time for Los Angeles as it is playing its fifth game in seven days on the road.
