Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers:

Detroit has been playing well at home lately, and in their next NBA regular-season game, they will try to make the 3rd team in the East, Cleveland, uncomfortable. Should we expect a hard-fought game in this one? 

The Pistons had lost four times straight, although they won three of their six games before that, with teams like Utah and Toronto defeated. Jerami Grant has been out for quite some time due to injury, although he should be back on the ice very soon. Grant will not play against Cleveland, nor will Kelly Olynyk, who is currently recovering from a coronavirus. Josh Jackson's participation is questionable. Right now, rookie Cade Cunningham is slowly trying on his role as the club's leader, averaging 18.2 points and 4.9 assists in 10 games. The team moves the ball well with Cunningham on the floor, although it often lacks skill on offence. Detroit basketball players don't shoot three-pointers well, and five players at once with four long-range attempts average below 35 per game - Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey, Kelly Olynyk, Frank Jackson and Jerami Grant.

Last regular-season game, Dwane Casey's team lost on the road to Orlando, 103-119. The Pistons lost the first quarter by 20 points, which decided the game's outcome. Detroit shot a lot from midrange and had very few baskets, their defence lacked quality at the arc, and they struggled in the paint. Cade Cunningham made only 3 of 17 shots, while Saddiq Bey made 5 of 14 (2 of 6 three-pointers). Trey Lyles was the highest-scoring Pistons player with 18 points.

The Cavaliers have won 8 of their last nine regular-season games, moving into third place in the Eastern Conference. The team has surprised everyone this season, but it is worth noting that the current state of affairs is entirely legitimate. Thanks to Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, Cleveland plays intense defence and lets in relatively little from the lane. Allen has also improved on offence, averaging 3.3 points more than he did during the regular season.

It's also interesting that the Cavaliers manage to have three big men on the floor simultaneously, thanks to the big men's ability to do so. Lauri Markkanen is injured, but Dean Wade, Kevin Love and Lamar Stevens, and Mobley and Allen, get plenty of minutes. Love has blossomed of late, averaging 14 points in 7 games and hitting 39.5 per cent of his three-pointers. Darius Garland is a capable offensive leader, and the entire game is going through him. Continuing on the injury front, the only players who won't play besides Markkanen are Ricky Rubio and Collin Sexton, who are out for the rest of the season.

Cleveland defeated Milwaukee 115-99 at home in their last regular-season game. The Cavaliers made 12 of 22 three-pointers in the first half and went into halftime, leading in shots. The team defended well from the defensive end, but not without luck: the opponent too often shot from beyond the arc. Kevin Love was one of the best players on the floor, with 26 points and five three-pointers made. 

• Detroit has five wins in 10 home games.
• Cleveland has won 5 of the last ten games on the road.
• Detroit ranks 24th in NBA defensive rating, Cleveland No. 3.

Cleveland relies heavily on three-point shooting right now, but against Detroit, that factor isn't as important. The Pistons don't have anyone to finish off their offence unless you count Cunningham, who hasn't been consistent in his debut season anyway. Detroit doesn't have enough good shooters, while the Cavaliers will need Love, Garland or Mobley and Allen to make a play right now. The Pistons have poor defence in the paint, something the home team's big men will certainly take advantage of.