Detroit Pistons' Schedule Breakdown and Record Predictions for January
After a 2-9 start in December, the Detroit Pistons finished the month on a three-game winning streak to take some momentum into 2015.
Only five of their 17 games in January come against the loaded Western Conference, which makes things a bit easier. But 10 matchups come against current playoff teams, so the schedule isn't exactly loaded with cupcakes.
Team president Stan Van Gundy's decision to release forward Josh Smith and the press release that followed indicate that the Pistons are looking beyond the 2014-15 season.
“We are shifting priorities to aggressively develop our younger players while also expanding the roles of other players in the current rotation to improve performance and build for our future," Van Gundy said.
Still, the bottom of the Eastern Conference is so bad that even a 13-game losing streak didn't fully eliminate the chances of a playoff appearance for Detroit. The Pistons sit a mere six and seven games behind the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets for the No. 8 and No. 7 seeds, respectively. And both of those squads are dealing with issues of their own.
ESPN's John Hollinger playoff odds still give the Pistons a 7.3 percent chance of making the postseason—nearly the same chance as they have of winning the lottery (7.7 percent).
Fans shouldn't be betting the mortgage on the Pistons playing beyond the regular season, but this recent revitalization does make January feel more promising than December did before it.
Week 1: 01/01-01/10
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The Pistons' first game in 2015 is an absolute must-win if they have any hope of moving up the East standings.
On January 2, they take on the New York Knicks, one of just two teams in the conference with a worse record than the Pistons. Detroit won the first matchup between the two, though that was at home. The Knicks have looked like an even bigger mess than the Pistons so far, and a loss would be too big of a blow for a Pistons team that is trying to gain momentum.
After that, Detroit has a tough three-game stretch against Western Conference teams. It begins against the reeling Sacramento Kings, who have won just two of their last 10. The Pistons won the first matchup between the two, though the unstoppable force known as DeMarcus Cousins didn't play. But Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe give the Pistons the big bodies needed to slow him down.
The final two are a back-to-back against the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks on the road. Barring a Gregg Popovich benching of the Spurs' starters, the Pistons will be heavy underdogs in both games.
They come back home for a game against the Atlanta Hawks, one of the hottest teams in the league. Finishing that three-game stretch any better than 0-3 would be a coup for the Pistons.
And the last game of the week is against the Nets, a beatable team for the Pistons. It does come at the back end of a back-to-back, but the Pistons have the athleticism to take advantage of the aging Nets.
Week 1 prediction:
01/02 at New York Knicks: Win
01/04 vs. Sacramento Kings: Win
01/06 at San Antonio Spurs: Loss
01/07 at Dallas Mavericks: Loss
01/09 vs. Atlanta Hawks: Loss
01/10 vs. Brooklyn Nets: Win
Weekly record: 3-3
Week 2: 01/11-01/17
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Week 2 may be the lightest week the Pistons have in January.
They get their toughest game out of the way first, playing the Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors on the road. Though it is on a day's rest, the Raptors guards will be too much for Detroit.
Two days later the Pistons host the New Orleans Pelicans for their first matchup this season. This is a winnable game, and there is plenty of intrigue as Drummond and Anthony Davis face off in a battle of two of the NBA's top young bigs. But with Davis and Omer Asik, the Pelicans can neutralize the Pistons' size.
Next, they play the Indiana Pacers on the road. The Pistons beat their division rivals 119-109 to start their current three-game win streak, and the banged-up Pacers should be beatable this time as well.
And in the final game of the week, Detroit gets its first shot at the Philadelphia 76ers since losing in overtime for just Philly's second win of the season.
This was arguably the team's worst loss of the season, as Detroit mustered just one point in the extra session against the NBA's worst squad. The 76ers are a young team with much less talent than the Pistons. Monroe and Drummond should have their way inside and help the Pistons break even for the week.
Week 2 prediction:
01/12 at Toronto Raptors: Loss
01/14 vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Loss
01/16 at Indiana Pacers: Win
01/17 vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Win
Weekly record: 2-2
Week 3: 01/18-01/24
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With just three games, the third week of January will give the Pistons a bit lighter of a load than they had in the first half of the month.
They again play their toughest game first, heading to Atlanta to play the Hawks for the second time in the month. As long as Mike Budenholzer keeps his players competing like they have so far this season, the Pistons will be hard-pressed to sneak out a win.
After beating the Orlando Magic by 23 on the road to end 2014, Van Gundy should be licking his chops to see his former team once again. The Pistons will get the Magic at home this time with a day's rest, and it would be a bit of a surprise if the Magic come out of the Palace with a win. Detroit's big men are simply too good, and the inexperience of Orlando's guards really puts the team at a disadvantage.
Three days later the Pistons head to Wisconsin for their fourth and final meeting of the season with the Milwaukee Bucks. Detroit won the first meeting but lost the past two, each by double digits. Even without Jabari Parker, the Bucks have been the better team this season and will be at home.
It is a winnable game for the Pistons, but Milwaukee will be tough to beat at home.
Week 3 prediction:
01/19 at Atlanta Hawks: Loss
01/21 vs. Orlando Magic: Win
01/24 at Milwaukee Bucks: Loss
Weekly record: 1-2
Week 4: 01/25-01/31
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After the final week of the month, the Pistons will be ready for February to begin.
It begins on the road in Toronto, where the Drakes will likely improve to 3-0 against the Pistons. Kyle Lowry is far too good to let Brandon Jennings slow him down, and the home crowd is one of the best in the league. It will be too much for the Pistons to overcome on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Two days later they are at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who look far less dangerous than they did to begin the season. Detroit beat them by 23 on December 28, and the Cavs have lost three of four overall. Without Anderson Varejao, their front line will be thin. But it is still unlikely the Pistons can contain LeBron James for the second straight game.
The next day they are in Philadelphia, where anything but a win would be a disappointment.
Detroit then gets two days of rest before a home matchup with the Houston Rockets. It gives Drummond a chance at redemption from the game last season at the Palace, when Dwight Howard finished with 35 points and 19 rebounds. It will also be Josh Smith's first visit back after being released.
Unfortunately, the Rockets are just too talented of a team to overcome. The Pistons don't have someone who can defend James Harden, and Howard and Smith can protect the paint better than most. It will be a tough way to end the month for the Pistons.
Week 4 prediction:
01/25 at Toronto Raptors: Loss
01/27 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Loss
01/28 at Philadelphia 76ers: Win
01/31 vs. Houston Rockets: Loss
Weekly record: 1-3
January Recap
5 of 5
The first two months of the 2014-15 season were an absolute nightmare for the Pistons. They head into 2015 at 8-23 and as one of the NBA's most disappointing teams so far.
But the release of Smith has breathed new life into seemingly everyone on the roster. The players' body language has visibly improved, and the Pistons have won three straight games for the first time since February 7-10 of last season. Even if that cannot continue forever, there is certainly a different feeling in Detroit right now.
The Pistons do have a difficult January schedule, so even playing their best basketball may not guarantee results. But it is another chance for them to begin to right the ship and start the return to respectability.
Prediction: 7-10
All records and statistics accurate through December 30, 2014 and are from NBA.com unless otherwise noted.
Jakub Rudnik covers the Detroit Pistons as a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.
