Pistons 2016-17 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions

Last season was the first in seven years that the Detroit Pistons appeared in the Eastern Conference playoffs before they were swept out of the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

With the release of the 2016-17 schedule on Thursday, this largely unchanged Pistons team can set its sights on improving its standing in the conference as it looks to reclaim the dominance of the early 2000s. 

2016-17 Details

Season Opener: Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Toronto Raptors

Championship Odds: 100-1 (via Odds Shark)

Full Schedule: NBA.com

Top Matchups

Cleveland Cavaliers

First Matchup: Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET at CLE

The Pistons will be looking to exact some revenge on the defending NBA champions after they were swept out of the playoffs in a series where Kyrie Irving and LeBron James combined to average over 50 points per game.

James was able to have a huge series and muscle his way around Detroit's physical play as things got chippy in Game 2:

However, the Pistons' physical play did get under James' skin, according to Bernie Augustine of the New York Daily News (WARNING: NFSW Language):

"

James was elbowed by Marcus Morris while battling in the paint in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s Game 2 win, and could be seen pleading his case with an official. When the ref walked away, James could be seen saying “I’m gonna f--k that n---a up” to no one in particular.

"

Don't be surprised if that physicality and ill will carry over into the regular season, where the Pistons have fared better against the Cavaliers. Last season, Detroit took three of four from Cleveland before the postseason.

The Cavaliers will be getting the best effort from every team they face this year as defending champions, and the Pistons will have the playoffs fresh on their mind when they take the floor against Cleveland. That can be a recipe for some heated matchups next year.

Indiana Pacers

First Matchup: Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. ET at IND

Unlike the Cavaliers, the Indiana Pacers gave the Pistons more trouble in the regular season, taking three of four. 

Those wins came in handy for Indiana as it finished one game ahead of the Pistons for the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. So instead of playing the Cavaliers, the Pistons could have played the Toronto Raptors had they fared better against the Pacers. 

That doesn't mean the Pistons would have seen the second round, but they might not have been swept. 

Next season could also see the renewal of a feud between Morris and Indiana's Paul George, who got into it after a January game:

These are games that the Pistons have to win next season if they want to see their fortunes improve, especially against a divisional opponent that doesn't carry the same kind of punch as the Cavaliers. 

Even if they are able to split the season series, it could have a huge impact on their postseason aspirations. But it's imperative that they get off on the right foot on Dec. 17.

Record Prediction

In a frantic offseason that has seen numerous big names change addresses, the Pistons were relatively quiet, which isn't a bad thing. 

Sure, they've brought on the likes of Ish Smith, Jon Leuer, Boban Marjanovic, Henry Ellenson and Michael Gbinije, but Detroit will return its starting five and its top five scorers. 

Those new names will join Stanley Johnson—who loves what the Pistons have done this offseason, according to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press—on the Pistons' bench to provide relief for Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Morris, Tobias Harris and Drummond:

"

I think we added some great pieces to our team. ... A lot of our improvement would be going toward the in-house stuff. So I think, between me and Pope and Marcus (Morris) and Andre (Drummond), I think we made a lot of improvement with our team, in-house.

On paper, you won’t be able to see until the seasons starts, but I think we’re a team that’s going to be really competitive in the NBA, in general, and not just in the Eastern Conference. We’re focused.

"

Having such key pieces return ensures that the team will continue to jell even better on the floor. Hopefully for the Pistons, that will translate well to the offensive side of the ball. 

Last season, the Detroit offense ranked 19th in the league. It stayed competitive thanks to a defense that was one of just 12 units in the league to allow fewer than 102 points per game. 

If the offense can improve, expect the Pistons to enter the playoffs higher than an eighth seed in 2017. 

Record Prediction: 47-35