Welcome in everyone for another ride of us talking Detroit hoops. Insanely excited to get back to writing along with being able to watch our beloved Detroit Pistons. This season definitely has a different feel to it already and that’s rightfully so due to the hectic off-season that transpired. This season isn’t about winning as much as it is developing the young assets that were acquired during the draft, or previously with the organization. Therefore, going into this year there should most certainly not be any expectations other than development, and earn a top five pick.
Redirecting the focus back to the game that will tip-off at 8:00 P.M. ET on December 23rd. As of now the Pistons are 4.5 point underdogs headed into a matchup with the very intriguing Timberwolves squad. They are also granted the opportunity to be the first team to face-off against the 1st overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft Anthony Edwards. Minnesota is coming off one of their worst seasons as a franchise, failing to reach the twenty win marker. Similarly, the Pistons finished one game better last season that was ultimately cut short. Both franchises have promising pieces to look forward to with lottery picks in the past couple seasons. Key developing players to keep an eye on in this tilt would obviously be Anthony Edwards and Killian Hayes. Although, other mentions would be Sekou Doumbouya and Jarrett Culver.
Injury update today indeed did list the new addition from overseas Deividas Sirvydis as out for tomorrows math up per James Edwards III. There’s no news related to the extent of the injury, but that should develop relatively soon.
A key pairing for this game is without a doubt going to be the battle between the experienced point guard D’Angelo Russell vs. rookie Killian Hayes. Unfortunately, Hayes didn’t take the world by storm in his first preseason games, but that also can’t be expected with his age. He struggled to shoot from beyond the arch and with some shot selection. However, at times he showed flashes of how lethal his ball handling can be as well as his progressing step back. Russel on the other hand has proven for years now that he is a reliable and top fifteen guard in the league. This will be great test to see how well Hayes’s defense can translate into pro action. D-loading has exceptional range and is well above average at creating his own shots.
Time for the first game prediction of the year and this one is actually quite simple. Minnesota has the chance to make some noise towards the bottom of the Western conference with the mix of veteran talent and youth they have on their team. The experience will be too much for the work in progress Pistons while it will be close. Detroit Basketball is now less than twenty four hours away. The season is finally upon us!
Piston Territory 