The Washington Wizards visit the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit enters the game with a 37-29 record and sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards have struggled this season, holding a 13-51 record and sitting in last place in the conference.
These teams met two days ago when the Pistons defeated the Wizards 123-103. Cade Cunningham led the way with 27 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. Washington fell behind by 17 points at halftime and was unable to recover in the second half.
Washington Wizards Preview – Struggles Continue
The Wizards have faced challenges all season, and they’ve now lost six straight games. Washington’s defense has been a major issue, giving up 112.9 points per game. In their loss to Detroit on Tuesday, they allowed 58 points in the paint and were outrebounded by 14 boards.
Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 15 points in their last game, while Kyle Kuzma added 12. The Wizards have struggled to generate consistent offense, ranking 27th in the NBA with just 108.3 points per game. Injuries continue to hurt Washington, with key players like Malcolm Brogdon and Bilal Coulibaly unavailable.
To stay competitive in this rematch, the Wizards must improve their rebounding and contain Cunningham’s ability to dictate the pace of the game.
Detroit Pistons Preview – Cade Cunningham Driving the Offense
Detroit has been playing strong basketball, winning 12 of their last 15 games. Cunningham has been the centerpiece of their success, averaging 30.4 points and 7.8 assists over his last five games. He’s also shooting 53.8% from the field during that stretch.
The Pistons continue to dominate inside, maintaining a streak of 22 consecutive games without being outscored in the paint. Jalen Duren contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds in their last game against Washington, adding to Detroit’s impressive paint presence.
Detroit’s ability to control the glass and Cunningham’s scoring consistency gives them a strong edge over Washington in this matchup.
Betting Prediction
Detroit is heavily favored at -15.5, and rightfully so. The Pistons are stronger in nearly every statistical category, especially in rebounding and interior scoring. The Wizards have been inconsistent offensively and face injuries that further weaken their lineup.
Expect Detroit to control the pace of the game and build another early lead. Cunningham’s recent scoring form should continue, while Detroit’s strong rebounding advantage will limit Washington’s second-chance points. The total is set at 233.5, and Detroit’s pace may push the game close to that number.
Pick: Detroit -15.5 / Over 233.5
Trends to Watch
- Washington: The Wizards have hit the 1H Moneyline in 10 of their last 17 games.
- Washington: The Wizards have failed to cover the 2Q spread in 33 of their last 82 games.
- Detroit: The Pistons have hit the Moneyline in 28 of their last 42 games.
- Detroit: The Pistons have hit the 3Q Moneyline in 29 of their last 40 games.
- Head-to-Head: The Pistons have won four of the last five meetings with the Wizards.
What’s Next
The Pistons continue to push for improved playoff positioning as they battle for a top-five seed in the East. Meanwhile, the Wizards will look to regroup as they finish their seven-game road trip.
