Wizards vs. Pistons Prediction: Preview, Injury Report, Advantages, X-Factors

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn ImagesThe Washington Wizards welcome the Detroit Pistons to Capital One Arena on Thursday, November 12, at 7:00 p.m. ET.The Wizards are 4-8 and have lost five straight games, most recently falling 114-101 to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. The Pistons are 7-3 and haven’t played since beating Washington 122-111 on Monday.This is the second meeting between the teams in four days. Anthony Davis scored 44 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the first one, but Detroit won behind 24 points and 10 rebounds from John Collins and 22 points and eight assists from Daniss Jenkins. Washington gets the rematch at home, though it will have to solve the same problems on the second night of a back-to-back. Injury Report WizardsUgonna Onenso: Questionable (Two-way)Isaiah Joe: Out (Hip)Jalen Duren: Out (Hamstring) PistonsTristan Vukcevic: Out (Hip)Reece Bechman: Out (Clavicular joint)Justin Champagnie: Out (Foot)Jamir Watkins: Out (ACL) Why The Pistons Have The Advantage?Detroit’s defense gives it the clearest edge. The Pistons rank third in defensive rating at 105.7 and sixth in net rating at plus-7.7. They average 9.5 steals and 6.5 blocks per game, ranking sixth and second, respectively. Washington already has trouble scoring efficiently, so Detroit can put the Wizards in a difficult spot by pressuring their guards and making them start their offense farther from the basket.The Pistons rank 16th in offensive rating at 113.4, but they move the ball well and don’t give away many possessions. They average 27.3 assists and commit 14.5 turnovers per game. The first meeting showed why that balance matters. Cade Cunningham picked up his fifth foul in the third quarter, yet Detroit was able to stretch its lead with Jenkins handling more of the offense.Cunningham is averaging 22.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists while shooting 46.2% from the field and 29.2% from three. His outside shot has been inconsistent, but he can still get into the paint and force Washington to send help. Duncan Robinson is the player the Wizards can least afford to lose in those situations. He averages 18.6 points and shoots 45.7% from deep, so even a brief lapse can turn a well-defended drive into an open three.Jenkins is averaging 12.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists while shooting 42.9% from three. He scored 31 against the Lakers before putting up 22 against Washington. That gives Detroit another guard who can keep the offense moving when Cunningham rests or draws extra attention. Why The Wizards Have The Advantage?Davis is Washington’s best chance to turn the rematch around. With Duren out, Detroit has to rely on Paul Reed and Collins to handle him inside. Davis is averaging 25.7 points and 9.7 rebounds on 53.3% shooting, and he scored 30 of his 44 points in the first half on Monday. Washington should get him the ball early again, but it also needs to make Detroit pay when a second defender comes over. The Pistons can live with another big Davis night if nobody else gets going.That puts pressure on Trae Young and Kyshawn George. Young is averaging 18.5 points and 8.7 assists, but he’s shooting just 39.3% from the field and 28.8% from three. Even if the jumper isn’t falling, he can help Washington by getting Davis the ball on the move and finding shooters when Detroit closes the lane.George is averaging 17.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 48.7% overall and 36.9% from deep. He can give the Wizards a second creator when the Pistons force the ball out of Young’s hands.Washington ranks 26th in offensive rating at 107.9 and 17th defensively at 113.7. Its path is to win the minutes when Davis has a favorable matchup and keep the game close when he sits. That means getting something from the bench early. Washington’s reserves scored just one point in the first half on Monday, leaving little margin for error even with Davis carrying the starters. X-FactorsFor Detroit, Reed is averaging 9.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 56.5% shooting. His job is to make Davis work for his catches and stay out of foul trouble. Collins averages 10.7 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 38.5% from three. His double-double on Monday was a reminder that he can make Washington’s frontcourt work at both ends.Ausar Thompson, who averages 9.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, gives Detroit another defender to throw at Young and another player who can help Reed on the glass.For Washington, AJ Dybantsa is averaging 16.7 points and 6.1 rebounds and scored 21 in the first meeting. His ability to attack before Detroit’s defense gets organized could take some pressure off Davis. Alex Sarr averages 9.9 points and 7.2 rebounds and will be important when Davis rests, especially if Detroit attacks the glass with Collins and Thompson.Tre Johnson can give Washington another scoring option, with Champagnie unavailable to help the bench. PredictionDavis should give Washington a chance again, and playing at home should help. But Detroit already showed it can withstand a huge game from him and keep scoring even when Cunningham is off the floor. The Pistons are better rested, have the stronger defense, and have more reliable shooting around their lead guard.I expect Washington to hang around before Detroit pulls away in the fourth.Prediction: Pistons vs. Wizards 113-108