Since January 3, the Cleveland Cavaliers are tied for the best record in the NBA and have the best net rating in the league. During this period, they are the only franchise other than the Boston Celtics Rank top 5 in offense and defense. They are, as children like to say but probably don’t say it anymore, a problem.
In other words, the Detroit Pistonsa team that has been more competitive since shedding most of the dead weight from its roster, will have its hands full as it looks to win its second straight game.
It’s still the Donovan Mitchell show in Cleveland, with the star guard nearly doubling his next closest teammate in shots. His 28 points per game since January 3 rank eighth in the NBA. What might be more surprising is who is second on the team in attempts during this span: Jarrett Allen. Allen is shooting better than 60% and averaging 17.6 points per game. He also averages 11.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. All of these superlatives from Allen seem to have come slightly to the detriment of Evan Mobley.
The 2020 draft still seems like an awesome class, but for some reason people in the NBA like to downplay the best players, whether it’s Cade Cunningham, Mobley, or Scottie Barnes. It’s crazy how effective all of these players are, how they project to make a difference in very unique and important ways, and also, in one way or another, are still labeled as disappointments. I’ll take a 16, 10, All-NBA defense against my 22-year-old big man any day of the week.
Vital elements of the game
When: 7 p.m. ET
Or: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Bally Sports Detroit
Odds: Pistons +8.5
Projected compositions
Detroit Pistons (9-49)
Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren
Cleveland Cavaliers (38-20)
Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
