Kings @ Pistons tips and picks: Back Sac to bounce back with double-digit victory
- George Dempsey
- 9 January 2024
The Detroit Pistons (3-33) return home from a four-game road trip to face the Sacramento Kings (21-14) on Tuesday night (0000 GMT Weds).
The Detroit Pistons (3-33) set an NBA record for the most consecutive losses this season, a run they snapped just over a week ago with a win against the Toronto Raptors.
Old habits die hard, though, and the youthful Pistons just wrapped up a losing four-game road trip.
They were outscored by 50 points across those four losses, but credit where it’s due for taking the Jazz to overtime and losing by four to the Warriors.
The Sacramento Kings (21-14) had won four of five before their blowout loss to the Pelicans, 100-133, in New Orleans.
They’ll be keen to bounce back on the back of such a result and they get the Pistons in a nice spot, back at home after an extended road trip.
Cade Cunningham’s absence is also a major blow as he’s averaging 22.8 points per game but has put up 30+ in five of his last six.
Isaiah Stewart’s absence means more minutes for 20-year-old center Jalen Duran and although he did admirably against Nikola Jokic, he faces another tough matchup here.
Domantas Sabonis is ninth in the league for field goal percentage and registered 24 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists in the Kings’ most recent win.
Sacramento can be an unpredictable team but there’s no doubt they should beat the Pistons and 11 of their 14 road games have been decided by at least 10 points.
Pistons are just 16-34ATS in their last 50 home games against a team with a winning road record, while the Kings are 21-10ATS against a team winning less than 40% of games.
They’re also on a solid 22-9ATS run on the road and 19-7ATS against a team with a losing home record.
This looks like a tough spot for Detroit, slightly shorthanded, going up against an angry Kings team that will not take them lightly as they look to bounce back.
