The Detroit Pistons are finally good enough where I am forced to understand the rules of the NBA Emirates Cup. In previous years, Detroit has lost cup games and been out of “contention” early in the process. Tonight, they play the Orlando Magic, and the winner takes East Group B. Can you feel the excitement?
The Pistons will be looking to rebound after a hard-fought but unsuccessful attempt to keep their 13-game winning streak going against the Boston Celtics. In a largely back-and-forth game, Detroit fell 117-114. The Pistons had a chance to tie it when Cade Cunningham went to the line for three free throws, and Detroit was down three, but one fell short.
If the Pistons beat the Magic, both teams will be 3-1 in cup play, and Detroit will move on thanks to the advantage in point differential. If they advance, they go to the knockout stage. What is the knockout stage? It is an eight-team tournament consisting of each group winner and a wildcard team from each conference. The quarterfinals of the knockout round are considered regular-season games, with the team having the better record hosting. The semifinals and finals will be played in Las Vegas, with the semifinals also counting as a regular-season game, but the championship cup game will not count toward standings or stats.
It’s all terribly complicated isn’t it?
When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -3.5
After scuffling early in the season, the Magic have won 10 of its past 14 games, and have a better net rating than the Pistons in that span. The good news for the Pistons is that Orlando did not become a great team by becoming prolific from behind the arc. After getting torched by the Celtics from deep, that efels like welcome relief.
Instead, they do things the same way Detroit does, behind a bruising and energetic defense. The also bring that bruising mentality to the offensive side of the floor. Tonight’s game features the first and second ranked team in free-throw attempts per game over the last 14 games. For the season, both teams also rank top 5 in points in the paint, top 10 in fastbreak points, and in defensive rebounding.
This is going to be a rock fight and both teams are going to be looking to do a lot of damage with ball movement and creating cracks in the defense that allow them to get to the rim. Few teams shoot more in the restricted area than the Magic and the Pistons.
The injury report continues to look good for the Pistons, which is amazing after missing so many players for so much of the early season. Jaden Ivey might sit as part of his conditioning as he ramps up into everyday game shape, and Bobi Klintman and Marcus Sasser remain out. The Magic will be without Paolo Banchero who is dealing with a groin strain.
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Tristan da Silva, Wendell Carter
