Detroit Pistons will try to end two long lines in one night when they host the eastern conference leader Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
Detroit has not put out a winning season since it finished 44-38 2015-16. The pistons (41-32) can end the eight season dryer already on Friday.
They are facing a division opponent who has dominated their Matchups from Head-to-Head in recent seasons. Cleveland has won the last 12 meetings, including three this season.
The pistons came very close to finishing the latter line on February 5. Cleveland guard Darius Garland held a long 3-point at the last summer, giving his team a victory 118-115.
Detroit has won the first two races in its current three-game home to despite the absence of All-Star Cade Cunningham, which breastfeeding a blue-marked left calf. He will be on the page again on Friday.
The pistons pummered San Antonio Spurs 122-96 on Tuesday when reserve guard Marcus Sasser pumped in a pile of 27 points. Sasser had 20 points in Detroit’s previous excursion, a victory 136-130 over New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.
“He is a threat when the ball is in his hands,” said Detroit coach JB Bickerstaff about Sasser. “He has the ability to create space, he can make pictures. He can drive to the basket and create fouls. He is a goal scorer of nature. When Cade is down there are points out there. I thought he did a good job.”
There were no expectations that the pistons would have this type of season after winning only 14 games last season.
“(The team) is so locked up right now, they are only focused on the moment in front of them,” said Bickerstaff, who was fired from his job as Cleveland’s head coach after last season.
“I think it has been part of the reason why they have been able to grow and develop, because they only take the challenge that is ahead of them.
“They are not looking down the road or on the big image’s things. I think their focus is just ringing in on the challenge that is ahead of them and how we prepare for these last nine matches.”
Cavaliers (59-14) will also win over Spurs, a decision of 124-116 on Thursday in Cleveland.
Jarrett Allen had a huge night with 29 points and 15 returns, while Donovan Mitchell took up 25 points, 14 assists and eight returns.
Cleveland leads to Detroit with a winning line with three games but can be a little bone. The home game on Thursday came after a five-match Western Swing. Cavaliers will play their third match in four nights on Friday.
“At this time of year it is less about strategy and scouting and more about,” how can we maintain so much energy and be ready to play a team like this? “Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said before the Thursday game.
Atkinson rested forward Evan Mobley, which should fit on Friday. However, Cleveland could choose to rest other regular guests.
“I think it’s part of my job to help guys stay healthy,” Atkinson said. “I communicate intimately, intensively with our performance staff and we bounce off things (them). Our No. 1 goal is to keep these guys healthy.”
-Field level media
