Detroit Pistons (11-37) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-19)
When: 6 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
TV: Bally Sports Detroit.
Radio: WXYT-FM 97.1 (Pistons radio affiliates).
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Game notes: The Pistons lost Friday to the Orlando Magic, the worst team in the NBA. Trey Lyles scored 18 points in 23 minutes to lead Detroit, but former Michigan star Franz Wagner had a game-high 24 points and Terrence Ross chipped in 21 points to give the Magic just their 10th win of the season. It’s about to be February.
On the other hand, Cleveland won its last game vs. the Milwaukee Bucks and has won eight of nine. The Cavs are bolstered by an elite defense that allows 102.2 points per game (second-fewest in the NBA) and 44.2% shooting from the field (seventh-lowest). Darius Garland’s 19.7 points and 8.2 assists per game lead the team and Jarrett Allen’s great individual defense combined with his 16.1 points and 11 rebounds per game may be good enough to get him a nod as an All-Star reserve. Oh, and there’s the meeting of star rookies Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley. Mobley is the heavy favorite for rookie of the year, with Cunningham trying to track him down.
The Cavs pummeled the Pistons, 98-78, in Cleveland in the first meeting in November.
Both teams play New Orleans next as part of the Pelicans’ current road trip. The Cavs get the Pelicans at home Monday, then the Pistons play host Tuesday.
[ These 3 deals give an idea of what Pistons may get in Jerami Grant trade ]
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Follow the Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for more news. Tyler Davis can be contacted at tjdavis@freepress.com or on Twitter @TDavisFreep.
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