Pelicans at Pistons
Qualifying for the playoffs is suddenly a reality for the rejuvenated Detroit Pistons and they’ll try to draw a little closer when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Detroit was 5-23 after losing to the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 21, leaving it seven games behind Brooklyn, but the Pistons have rallied to win nine of the last 10 and stands two games behind the Nets for eighth place in the East. Detroit hasn’t qualified for the postseason since the 2008-09 season.
The Pelicans seem to be heading in an opposite direction as they’ve lost three of four and haven’t won two straight since Dec. 16-18. They beat the Grizzlies by 11 on Friday—a great win against a team that came in 15 games above .500—but lost to the Charlotte Hornets two days before and the Boston Celtics three days after, both of whom came in well under .500. These teams played two close games last season, with the Pistons losing in overtime in the first meeting and getting beat by an Eric Gordon layup with 1.9 seconds left in the second, when the Pelicans rallied from 16 points down
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, FSN Detroit
ABOUT THE PELICANS (18-19): New Orleans continues to lead the league in points in the paint but it will be facing a Detroit team that came into Tuesday fifth in the league in rebounding, including No. 1 in offensive rebounds per game. Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, who leads the NBA in blocks (2.89), will have his hands full against Detroit forward Greg Monroe, who has posted six consecutive double-doubles. The matchup that could haunt the Pelicans is center Omer Asik against Detroit big man Andre Drummond, who comes in second in the league in rebounding at 13 per game.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (14-24): Brandon Jennings might be playing the best he has in his six-year career. He’s averaging 22.7 points in seven games this month and shooting 42.2 percent from 3-point range, compared to 9.3 points and 27.3 percent in December. He has continued to distribute the ball effectively as well, averaging 7.4 assists and 1.6 turnovers this month, including 21 helpers and three giveaways in the last two games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. New Orleans G Quincy Pondexter, who was acquired from the Grizzlies on Monday night, is expected to join the team prior to the game but it’s unknown if he’ll play.
2. The Pistons have lost four straight to the Pelicans.
3. The last time the Pistons won nine of 10 was during the 2007-08 season.