Pistons vs. Warriors preview: Detroit in search of improved perimeter shooting and first win

Three games played, three losses sustained, now the Pistons will look to finally make a scratch in the win column against a depleted Golden State Warriors back in Detroit. The Warriors have started off the new season with a 1-2 record, with two blowout losses to the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, and a last-second win against the bleh Chicago Bulls.

The Pistons should have Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose and Jahlil Okafor back for tonight’s game after each missed Monday’s tilt against the Atlanta Hawks due to rest and/or injury management. Although Detroit’s new young core put together their most entertaining game of the season in last night’s loss, expect the lineups to mostly reflect what we’ve seen in the first two games when they’ve had their whole team available.

Game Vitals

When: 7:00 p.m. EST
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI\
Watch: FSN Detroit, NBA League Pass

Game Analysis

For the Pistons to finally get over the hump, they’ll have to start knocking down the three-ball with regularity. Sans a ridiculous 8-of-16 outing from Blake Griffin this past weekend, the rest of the Pistons are collectively shooting a dismal 28% from beyond the arc through three games.

Svi Mykhailiuk, who was penciled in as Detroit’s go-to sharpshooter, has struggled the most from distance. He’s only hit two of his first 18 three-point attempts (11%). Svi’s been off, and whether that be due to a shortened training camp, or just a bad week it needs to change if the Pistons are going to start stringing together some wins this year.

The Warriors have also experienced their fair share of three-point shooting woes. Losing Klay Thompson for the year due to an Achilles tear certainly doesn’t help your cause in that area, but the guys who were relied upon to help fill that void, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins, are shooting 4-for-30 from three (13%) this season combined.

We’ll have another entertaining point guard match-up tonight as Killian Hayes matches against Steph Curry. Hayes had his most complete game of the season last night. He shot 4-of-12 from the field, good for 10 points, and chipped in 8 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. He played smart defense, though nothing could really stop Trae Young. And even though he didn’t come out the gates playing particularly well, he was still able to have a positive impact on the floor. He regularly found easy looks for his teammates, played respectable defense on Trae and netted two of his six three point attempts.

Curry still stuffs the stat sheet on a regular basis, even with opposing defenses acutely honed in on him wherever he is on the floor. Curry is averaging a team-best 25 points and 7 assists per game, but his shooting has dipped due to a weakened supporting cast. Curry is currently averaging 38% shooting from the floor, and 26% from three. You shouldn’t expect those averages to last, so if you’re on team TANK - keep your eye out for an improved performance from the former MVP.

Projected Lineups

Detroit

Killian Hayes, Delon Wright, Jerami Grant, Blake Griffin, Mason Plumlee

Golden State

Steph Curry, Kelly Oubre Jr., Andrew Wiggins, Juan Toscano-Anderson, James Wiseman

Question of the game

Is this the game where Svi snaps out of his haze? Over/under 2.5 made threes?