#9 - Pistons@Hornets - 7pm ET

[MortSahlfan]

FSN

[bstein14]

This is perhaps the biggest game for us in a long time. Probably since the losing streak last year when we desperately needed to end it.

Why is it big? We're on the road against another bad team that is likely lottery bound. This game really tells us whether we've grown and are actually a team that will be in the play-in race or if we are still the same old Pistons from the last 4 years needing more work before we are able to step out of the bottom 5 of the East.

If we're going to make it out of the bottom feeders and into the "mediocre and getting better" 9th/10th/11th seed area we need to do the following.

#1 Win the season series against the bottom teams like Charlotte, Brooklyn, Chicago, Washington, Toronto. (14W 6L)

#2 Get at least 1 win against most mid tier teams like Indy, Philly, Miami, Orlando, etc if not get lucky and split 2-2. (8W 12L)

#3. Get just a few wins combined in total against the elite teams in the East like Cleveland, New York, Boston. (2W 10L)

We know we'll have a losing record against the West (8W 22L)

That puts us at 32 wins if we can beat up on the bottom tier teams like Charlotte.

We're only going to have a chance to hit that win total if we rack up the wins against the bottom of the East. We can't split with the bottom feeders or we're still just as much at the bottom as they are.

[Snakebites]

This is perhaps the biggest game for us in a long time. Probably since the losing streak last year when we desperately needed to end it.

Why is it big? We're on the road against another bad team that is likely lottery bound. This game really tells us whether we've grown and are actually a team that will be in the play-in race or if we are still the same old Pistons from the last 4 years needing more work before we are able to step out of the bottom 5 of the East.

If we're going to make it out of the bottom feeders and into the "mediocre and getting better" 9th/10th/11th seed area we need to do the following.

#1 Win the season series against the bottom teams like Charlotte, Brooklyn, Chicago, Washington, Toronto. (14W 6L)

#2 Get at least 1 win against most mid tier teams like Indy, Philly, Miami, Orlando, etc if not get lucky and split 2-2. (8W 12L)

#3. Get just a few wins combined in total against the elite teams in the East like Cleveland, New York, Boston. (2W 10L)

We know we'll have a losing record against the West (8W 22L)

That puts us at 32 wins if we can beat up on the bottom tier teams like Charlotte.

We're only going to have a chance to hit that win total if we rack up the wins against the bottom of the East. We can't split with the bottom feeders or we're still just as much at the bottom as they are.

I don't think there is such a thing as a "big" game this early in the season.

If we lose there are other opportunities to show growth. If we win there's still plenty of opportunities to prove we're still the same team.

[NYPiston]

I don't think there is such a thing as a "big" game this early in the season.

If we lose there are other opportunities to show growth. If we win there's still plenty of opportunities to prove we're still the same team.

Yeah, this is just another game in a long season.
Would be nice to see the Pistons bag a W and keep the momentum rolling but it's hard to classify a Pistons-Hornets Game 9 regular season game as a "big" game. Just continue good habits (turning the ball over less namely) and play hard on defense and see where it takes them, it's all about continued growth not necessarily wins at this juncture.

[Uncle Mxy]

We must DESTROY these fools!!! Anything less than total domination is UN-acceptable!!! It isn't a big game, it's the ONLY game. We WILL prevail, or skulls will ROLL!!! These are rat-soup eating, born-insecure, NO-business Hornet MFs!!!

ATTACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and defend

[bstein14]

Ok, Maybe saying most important is a bit of an overstatement... but for me this certainly feels like a measuring stick game more than any up to this point this season. And we haven't won 3 in a row in a long long time.

[ahike12]

Ok, Maybe saying most important is a bit of an overstatement... but for me this certainly feels like a measuring stick game more than any up to this point this season. And we haven't won 3 in a row in a long long time.

I get this feeling. While it's not make-or-break, it truly does feel like a game where we'll get a good idea of what this team actually is.

[Billl]

Going to be a test of our guard's newfound commitment to defense. LaMelo has be lighting it up but turning it over a ton and fouling like crazy. If they keep him contained, it's a winnable game. If they let him run free and don't punish him on D, it will be a long night.

[hoophabit]

Ok, Maybe saying most important is a bit of an overstatement... but for me this certainly feels like a measuring stick game more than any up to this point this season. And we haven't won 3 in a row in a long long time.

I get this feeling. While it's not make-or-break, it truly does feel like a game where we'll get a good idea of what this team actually is.

Makes sense to me. We saw the early mirage last year. Getting that 3fer would say they might be on to something. It's true though that no game is 'huge' this early.

[MortSahlfan]

I'm loving Pistons fans expecting to win.

[Invictus88]

I'm in this weird space where I am waiting more games to see whether the recent success is due to mostly happenstance or if it sustainable.

It's the reason I've been quieter during this recent stretch. Watching that Lakers game was so much fun though.

Okay. Got to go find some wood to knock on...

[topsearch92]

It would be nice if Harris shoots above 15% from 3 soon. I swear Cade hits him for 2 open corner 3s every game and they are never hit.

[Absolutia]

I'm braced for disappointment - I just can't help it.

[440BB]

I'm trying to get back in the habit of watching most of the game versus just checking in to see how bad it's going. Hard habit to break but after firing Monty they look like an NBA team again and deserve it.

[GreekAlex]

Taj Gibson is starting for them?!?!

I’d feel disappointed if we lose to a team starting him (no offense to him).

[tradez401]

39 yr old taj at the starting center no reason why duren doesnt have a monster game.

[DetroitSho]

Taj Gibson is starting for them?!?!

I’d feel disappointed if we lose to a team starting him (no offense to him).

No offense could even be taken from this. You do NOT lose to a team starting Taj Gibson at center in 2024.

Sent from my SM-S918U using RealGM mobile app

[DetroitSho]

Just close your eyes..........and imagine Grant Williams making $17.5 million on this roster.....with 2 more years remaining. That's what some of you wanted.

Sent from my SM-S918U using RealGM mobile app

[JLiv]

Clunky game on both sides so far but I think we’re in a good position to win. Gotta get help from someone not named Jaden Ivey or Cade Cunningham tho

[Billl]

Duren tweaks his ankle again. This is becoming an issue