Pistons at Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs suddenly can't win at home and they attempt to end a stunning three-game home skid when they host the Detroit Pistons on Friday. San Antonio tied the NBA record by going 40-1 at home last season but Wednesday's 101-99 loss to the Houston Rockets represents the club's first three-game home losing streak since Dec. 2014.
The uncharacteristic home woes include a 24-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and the troubles continued with the narrow defeat against the Rockets. "We gave up 63 points in the first half and 38 in the second," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said afterward. "That's what we've been doing here at home, play a quarter or two of defense and a quarter or two of no defense. The consistency, in that regard, has not been good." Detroit might be the perfect foe in which to end those issues as the Pistons are 0-4 on the road after dropping a 107-100 decision to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. "We're not bringing enough at either end of the floor, so we've got to get it changed around," Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said afterward.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, FSN Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE PISTONS (4-4): Detroit opened a four-game road trip by being routed 114-82 by the Los Angeles Clippers and had a chance to knock off Phoenix before wilting. "We gave the game away," center Andre Drummond told reporters. "We came back in the fourth quarter with some strong plays. Then after a timeout, we didn't come back with the energy we had to get us back in the game." Shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored a season-high 27 points in the loss to the Suns after having just one point on 0-for-6 shooting against the Clippers.
ABOUT THE SPURS (5-3): Shooting guard Danny Green made his season debut against Houston after missing the first seven games with a quadriceps injury and he had eight points and four steals. "I thought Danny was great," Popovich told reporters despite Green being just 2-of-8 from 3-point range. "He hit big shots. He drove it a few times. He played good defense. I thought he looked really good." Small forward Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points but missed a tying layup attempt in the final seconds despite joining Hall of Famers George Gervin and David Robinson as the only Spurs to post six 25-point outings within the first eight games of a season.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Spurs won four of the past five meetings.
2. San Antonio PG Tony Parker (knee) might sit out for the fourth straight game.
3. Detroit PG Reggie Jackson (knee) is on the verge of beginning workouts but is still two-to-four weeks away from returning.