With 28 straight losses, the Pistons have leveled the Sixers’ dubious mark for having the longest losing streak in NBA history, although Philadelphia set it between 2014-15 and 2015-16, unlike Detroit, which set it alone this year.
So, there’s a huge sense of urgency for the Pistons to get back to winning ways, which is quite an understatement, when they get back to action on Saturday to host the Raptors.
In other matches, the Jazz, Pacers, Bulls, Timberwolves, and Warriors are slated to host the Heat, Knicks, Sixers, Lakers, and Mavericks, respectively.
Miami Heat @ Utah Jazz
The Heat are back in the top four of the Eastern Conference since they’re on a four-game winning streak.
The fact that they didn’t have Jimmy Butler during that stretch is commendable, especially after seeing the likes of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. step up.
After recovering from a hip injury, Adebayo has averaged 20.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game over his last five, while Tyler Herro is averaging 26.2 points per game since returning from an ankle injury.
As for Jaquez Jr., he is considered a dark horse candidate for this season’s Rookie of the Year award, and he managed to record a career-high 31 points against the Sixers on Christmas Day.
Similar to the Heat, the Jazz are also enjoying the returns of their key players, Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen. But the Pelicans recently ended their winning run of three games.
Toronto Raptors @ Detroit Pistons
The Pistons almost snapped their run of futility against the Celtics, especially when they led by 19 points after the first half, but the Celtics clawed their way back to defeat them in overtime.
At this point, you have to feel for Cade Cunningham because this is not what he envisioned for his third year in the league.
Over the past six games, the top overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft has averaged 31.7 points, 7.2 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, so it’s clear that he has been doing his part to improve their SBOTOP NBA 2023 odds.
The Raptors have also fallen victim to the Celtics, as they lost to them earlier today. Scottie Barnes had a full line of 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, one steal, and seven three-pointers in the loss.
New York Knicks @ Indiana Pacers
The Pacers plan on stretching their winning streak to three straight games when they host the Knicks, who are on a two-game losing streak themselves.
Tyrese Haliburton is fresh from a career night in Chicago, as he not only racked up a career-high 20 assists, but he did so without committing a single turnover in the blowout victory.
Meanwhile, his counterpart, Jalen Brunson, will be aiming to bounce back after struggling against the Magic.
Philadelphia Sixers @ Chicago Bulls
Joel Embiid is going to be out for the third consecutive game, which means that the Sixers will have to cope without him again, but it’s a good thing they have someone like Tyrese Maxey.
After struggling on Christmas Day, Maxey bounced back against the Magic, and he kicked things up a notch against the Rockets on Friday, exploding for 42 points.
According to the most recent NBA 2023 news, Nikola Vucevic is expected to miss time with a strained groin, which hurts Chicago’s frontcourt depth.
But Andre Drummond has done well in Vooch’s place so far, while DeMar DeRozan and Coby White continue to carry the load for the Bulls.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Minnesota Timberwolves
LeBron James is hoping for the Lakers to have another complete performance when they visit Minnesota on his 39th birthday.
In yesterday’s rout of the Hornets, the King had 17 points and 11 assists, but he only played 25 minutes because six other Lakers scored in double digits, with Anthony Davis leading the way with 26 points.
The Lakers will have to account for Anthony Edwards in particular because he’s coming off a season-high 44-point performance on Thursday.
Dallas Mavericks @ Golden State Warriors
The hope for the Mavericks is that Luka Doncic is fit tomorrow since they already don’t have Kyrie Irving, who’s out indefinitely.
In their loss against the Timberwolves, Tim Hardaway Jr. led Dallas sans Doncic in scoring with 32 points off the bench, while Dante Exum, Derrick Jones Jr., and Jaden Hardy had increased usage.
Steph Curry, meanwhile, has to snap out of his shooting funk for the Warriors to end their two-game losing streak. Over his last three outings, the two-time MVP has shot just 25-per cent from three-point range.
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