Pistons vs. Wizards Tuesday NBA injury report, odds: Tanking Detroit resting nearly every key player, Washington giving its most points in eight years
The Pistons will be playing a JV lineup tonight in Washington.
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It's that time of year when the dregs of the NBA are going to tank in order to finish with one of the three-worst records in the league and an equal 14% chance of winning the draft lottery. The prize waiting at the top of the draft is the chance to select one-of-a-kind prospect Victor Wembanyama. The Detroit Pistons are definitely in that tanking group and essentially throwing in the towel for Tuesday's game at Washington, with nearly every key player expected to sit. The Wizards are up to -13 at Caesars Sportsbook, which is rare air for the franchise.
As of this writing, Detroit (16-53 and the lone Eastern Conference team eliminated from the playoffs) has ruled out Marvin Bagley III, Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks, Hamidou Diallo, Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Livers and Isaiah Stewart. Cory Joseph is questionable with a non-COVID illness. Over his last five games, Joseph is averaging 15.2 points and 4.8 assists in just under 30 minutes per game.
The Pistons ended an 11-game losing streak Monday with a 20-point win over Indiana. Joseph had 22 points, five assists and five rebounds. Livers started but had just two points in 20 minutes. The team's starting lineup tonight likely will be Killian Hayes, RJ Hampton, Rodney McGruder, Eugene Omoruyi and James Wiseman. Only Hayes and Wiseman are true NBA-level players.
Wiseman, the former No. 2 overall pick by the Warriors, has three double-doubles in 11 games as a Piston after three total in 60 games with Golden State. He logged 18 points and 14 rebounds Monday. Hayes had 10 points and 11 assists and has recorded a double-double in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.
Washington will be more than happy to take this gifted win, as the Wizards sit in 11th place in the East, a half-game behind Chicago for the final play-in tournament spot. The Wizards are -115 to compete in the tournament at DraftKings, just ahead of the Bulls (+100).
Kyle Kuzma won't play tonight for Washington due to right knee soreness. The former Laker is having his best pro season, averaging career highs in points (21.2 PPG) and assists (3.8 APG) to go with 7.3 rebounds per game.
If this 13-point spread doesn't dip, it will be the most the Wizards have been favored since they were -14.5 at home against the Knicks on April 3, 2015. Bradley Beal is the only Washington player still around from that club, which still had a prime John Wall.
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