The Detroit Pistons will try to end two long streaks in one night when they host the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
Detroit hasn’t posted a winning season since it finished 44-38 in 2015-16. The Pistons (41-32) can end that eight-season drought as early as Friday.
They are facing a division opponent that has dominated their head-to-head matchups in recent seasons. Cleveland has won the last 12 meetings, including three this season.
The Pistons came very close to ending the latter streak on Feb. 5. Cleveland guard Darius Garland heaved in a long 3-pointer at the final buzzer, giving his team a 118-115 victory.
Detroit has won the first two contests of its current three-game homestand despite the absence of All-Star Cade Cunningham, who is nursing a bruised left calf. He will be sidelined again on Friday.
The Pistons pummeled the San Antonio Spurs 122-96 on Tuesday as reserve guard Marcus Sasser pumped in a career-high 27 points. Sasser had 20 points in Detroit’s previous outing, a 136-130 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.
“He’s a threat whenever the ball is in his hands,” Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Sasser. “He has the ability to create space, he can make shots. He can drive to the basket and create fouls. He’s a scorer by nature. With Cade being down, there’s points out there to be had. I thought he did a great job.”
There were no expectations that the Pistons would have this type of season after winning just 14 games last season.
“(The team) is so locked in right now, they’re only focused on the moment that’s in front of them,” said Bickerstaff, who was fired from his job as Cleveland’s head coach after last season.
“I think that’s been part of the reason why they’ve been able to grow and develop, because they just take the challenge that’s in front of them.
“They don’t look down the road or at those big picture things. I think their focus is just being dialed in to whatever challenge that’s in front of them and how we prepare for these last nine games.”
The Cavaliers (59-14) also are coming off a win over the Spurs, a 124-116 decision on Thursday in Cleveland.
Jarrett Allen had a huge night with 29 points and 15 rebounds, while Donovan Mitchell racked up 25 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds.
Cleveland heads to Detroit with a three-game winning streak but could be a little leg-weary. The home game on Thursday came after a five-game Western swing. The Cavaliers will be playing their third game in four nights on Friday.
“At this time of year, it’s less about strategy and scouting and more about, ‘How can we conserve as much energy and be ready to play a team like this?” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said prior to the Thursday game.
Atkinson rested forward Evan Mobley, who should suit up on Friday. However, Cleveland could opt to rest other regulars.
“I think it’s part of my job to help guys stay healthy,” Atkinson said. “I communicate intimately, intensely with our performance staff and we bounce things off (them). Our No. 1 goal is to keep these guys healthy.”
–Field Level Media
