Wizards at Pistons
THE STORY: The Detroit Pistons have done what improving teams are supposed to do – overcome weak competition. The Pistons stretched their winning streak to a season-high four games Friday with a second consecutive victory against the hapless New Jersey Nets after taking out the Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Hornets. The parade of losing teams continues on Sunday when the 5-22 Washington Wizards visit. The Wizards have dropped six of seven and have allowed at least 106 points in each of their last six games.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, CSW (Washington), FSD+ (Detroit)
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (5-22): Washington went 1-3 on its just-completed four-game homestand, with the lone victory coming in overtime against the Toronto Raptors. Now, the Wizards will embark on a five-game road trip that will take them through Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Utah Jazz – three teams in the top 10 in the NBA in scoring offense. Washington has yet to show it can stop anybody on the defensive end despite leading the NBA in blocked shots. The Wizards are one of only four teams in the league surrendering over 100 points.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (8-20): Detroit has built up some momentum during its streak, cresting in a 109-92 triumph over the Nets on Friday. The 109-point outburst marked the first time this season that the Pistons had reached the century mark without needing overtime. Greg Monroe has been the backbone of the surge, averaging 20.0 points and 12.5 rebounds. Ben Gordon returned on Wednesday from a 10-game absence and has been a spark plug off the bench, totaling 28 points on 12-of-17 shooting in two games. The Pistons’ schedule gets tougher after the Wizards, with the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics up next.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Washington took the final meeting last season 107-105 at home, snapping the Pistons’ eight-game winning streak in the series.
2. Wizards PG John Wall committed seven turnovers Friday, the fourth time he has reached that mark this season.
3. Gordon has put up 18.8 points in 23 career games against Washington.