The Wizards are in a troublesome slide that is hurting their chances of claiming one of the final playoff spots in the East. Washington attempts to end a five-game losing streak when it hosts Detroit, the team currently in possession of the final postseason berth. The Wizards won both previous meetings and need a victory to trim their deficit.
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SCHEDULING
For a team battling for a playoff spot in the congested Eastern Conference, the Pistons need to make the most of their remaining 16 games. No, they don’t need to win each of them to end the franchise’s six-year playoff drought, but they do need to win more than their share. And they can’t squander opportunity. Monday night’s game against a struggling Washington club is a golden chance as the Pistons wind up a four-game trip in which they won two of three. Not only could the Pistons ensure themselves staying a game ahead of Chicago in the standings, they could also deal a fatal blow to Washington’s chances of catching them.
The Wizards are coming off a three-game Western swing in which they lost at Portland, Utah and Denver. They have another five-game West Coast trek ahead in two weeks, but three of those opponents are headed for the lottery, including the two worst teams in the West. Until then, Washington will play five of seven at the Verizon Center with the hope of gaining ground in the playoff chase. The Wizards trail Detroit by 3.5 games for the final spot, making this an important matchup. Washington won and covered each of the first two games of the season series, notching a 2-point win at the Palace on Nov. 21 and taking a 98-86 decision when the clubs met in D.C. on Feb. 19.
INJURIES
The Pistons are getting some bodies back in the lineup. Both Stanley Johnson and Anthony Tolliver returned last week from extended absences and need to be reintegrated into the lineup. Jodie Meeks, who’s been out since the second game of the season, is also available, but has yet to work his way into the rotation.
Washington played its last three games without second-leading scoring Bradley Beal, whose status is unclear because of an ailing hip.
KEY MATCHUP
There are times when Pistons’ guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope looks like the best player on the floor. Then there are times when he leaves coach Stan Van Gundy scratching his head. But with the Pistons fighting for their playoff lives, there is no other option. KCP scored 11 of his 23 points during a second half run to help the Pistons overcome Philadelphia on Saturday, giving him 47 in the past two games. And he scored in a variety of ways, looking energetic on both ends of the court. Caldwell-Pope and the Pistons face a Washington team that suddenly forgot how to play defense. The Wizards gave up an alarming 41 fourth-quarter points to Denver on Saturday, turning an eight-point lead into a 116-100 loss. The third-year shooting guard has quieted critics of his selection at No. 8 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, and better decision-making could have the pick look like a steal.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Both teams have struggled defensively of late, drawing the ire of their coaching staffs. The difference is the Pistons have won a few games along the way, masking their shortcomings. Washington appeared to be on its way to ending its losing streak until repeated breakdowns in the fourth quarter allowed Denver to happily take advantage. And Van Gundy was highly disturbed with the defensive showing and ball-handling issues in Detroit’s win over Philadelphia that required his team to score 73 second-half points. A major reason why Washington is scrambling for a playoff spot has been its poor play at home. The Wizards are just 16-17 SU and ATS at the Verizon Center, but being home and catching the Pistons on the final leg of a four-game roadie will be welcomed after a tough road trip of their own.
Washington 97, Detroit 94
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