NBA: Detroit Pistons' predicted starting lineup against the New Orleans Pelicans
Last season, the Detroit Pistons made a lot of changes to their roster via trades, including a trade that sent Avery Bradley and Tobias Harris to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for the former Rookie of the Year winner, Blake Griffin.
With Griffin as the franchise's face, the Pistons impressed the fans but failed to make it to the playoffs after finishing the season at the ninth spot in the East with a 39-43 win-loss record. In the 2018 offseason, the front office did a commendable job by signing former Toronto coach Dwane Casey and adding players like Zaza Pachulia and Glenn Robinson III to increase the bench depth.
The Pistons started the season with a bang and went on a four-game win streak before losing five straight games. With a 20-26 win-loss record, the Pistons are currently placed at ninth place in the conference and are fighting for a playoffs spot.
Even though the record is not in their favour, the Pistons are definitely looking stronger than they were last year and the duo of Griffin and Andre Drummond are performing just like you would expect them to and are troubling the opposition defences.
Griffin is averaging career-high numbers and Drummond is once again averaging a double-double over the season. However, the Pistons are currently on a two-game losing streak with their recent loss against the struggling Washington Wizards at the Capital One Arena.
The Pistons will now travel to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans who will be short-handed without the All-Star Forward Anthony Davis. While the Pelicans are expected to miss the playoffs, they cannot be taken lightly as they are coming off a very impressive road win against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Drummond, who missed the game against the Wizards due to the concussion protocol is expected to come back for this matchup in New Orleans.
Predicted Detroit Pistons' starting line-up:
Blake Griffin (F), Andre Drummond (C), Reggie Jackson (G), Reggie Bullock (G) and Bruce Brown (G).