Pistons vs. Jazz: Detroit avoids worst-case scenario, set to play tonight

The Detroit Pistons finally had their own deadlines with the NBA’s health and safety protocols as the team was left without the eight players needed against the Denver Nuggets after a player had an inconclusive test.

That forced a last-minute postponement of the Nuggets game, but it seems like Detroit avoided the worst. After being stuck in Ball Arena and sitting around in the lower bowl socially distanced from each other and every other human, and then being stuck in Denver waiting for an all-clear, the Pistons were given the greenlight to head to Utah. The game, as of now, will go on.

Game Vitals

When: 10 p.m. EST
Where: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
Watch: Fox Sports Detroit
Odds: +13

Game Analysis

Utah is already one of the hottest teams in the NBA, and Detroit seems like they are coming in a little sleepy and discombobulated after the postponement and delay yesterday in Denver.

The Jazz recently had an 11-game win streak snapped against the aforementioned Nuggets, and have the fifth-ranked offense and sixth-ranked defense in the NBA. While Donovan Mitchell garners all the headlines for the Jazz, and he does lead the team in shots, his efficiency and decision making are still a bit iffy. Still, he’s proven he can take and make big shots, and as long as that remains true and the Jazz keep winning nobody is going to have an issue with the team’s young star.

What is really powering the Jazz’s ascent to the upper echelon of the Western Conference is an incredible rebound season for Mike Conley. Behind a career-high 3-point attempt rate and 40% accuracy with his customary proficiency in all other facets of the game, Conley is an unsung hero for Utah. He keeps the offense moving, allows the perimeter defense to function, cutting off the perimeter and funneling things to Rudy Gobert, and keeps things finely tuned waiting for a potent scoring burst from Mitchell or Jordan Clarkson.

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (5-15)

Delon Wright, Wayne Ellington, Jerami Grant, Blake Griffin, Mason Plumlee

Utah Jazz (15-5)

Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Royce O’Neale, Rudy Gobert

Question of the Game

If a Detroit Piston not named Jerami Grant scores 25+ points tonight, who will it be?