It’s a busy sports day in Detroit, with the Detroit Lions trying to hold on to slim NFL playoff hopes and hosting the division leader Minnesota Vikings. A few hours later, the Pistons will welcome one of the game’s most iconic players for the annual trip to Little Caesars Arena, as james lebron and the Lakers don the purple and gold in Detroit. Game information and live updates below.
You might remember the last time the Lakers were here: Bloody Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, when Isaiah Stewart chased James around the field in stunning rage in the third quarter, shave anyone in his path. He was sent off, despite only being suspended for two games, and much was said and written in the following days. The Lakers won the game, 121-116, when the Pistons lost a 17-point second-half lead. James was suspended one game for his flying fist which caught Stewart above his right eye. But Cade Cunninghamwho continues to be sidelined with shin injuryis not in uniform this time restrain Stewart. Hopefully everyone catches up this time.
The Lakers started the season 2-10 but played better last month under first-year coach Darvin Ham, led by Anthony Davis. They beat the Pistons in mid-November in Los Angeles, 128-121without Jacques − Davis led with 38 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks, making 18 of 21 free throws. Now Detroit is the final leg of Los Angeles’ six-game road trip, and it’s lost the last three (Cleveland, Toronto, Philadelphia) after beating Milwaukee and Washington to start. The Lakers have some ground to make up 13th in the Western Conferencethree games out of the play-in tournament.
Davis, 29, is playing great, averaging 27.5 points on 59.3 percent career-best shooting, along with 12.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 cons.
James, whose offensive game has become more reliant on 3-pointers in recent seasons, continues to defy time as he turns 38 in a few weeks. He’s amassing 25.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game playing more like a big forward these days and even, at times, getting backup minutes at center. He didn’t shoot the ball well to start the season, averaging 4.8 free throw attempts (or 69.8%) and taking 7.3 3-pointers per game (or 31.8%) in 18 matches.
Their other former post-prime MVP, Russell Westbrook, 34, has adapted well to coming off the bench after starting the first three games of the season. He is averaging 15.2 points, eight assists and 5.5 rebounds in 28 minutes in 21 games off the bench, though turnovers (3.9) and bad shots continue to plague him (41.6 FG / 32.5 3P / 68.2 FT). But he is dangerous with his attack speed in the straight line and in transition.
The Lakers are also getting quality play from their only snipers, Lonnie Walker IV (16 ppg, 37.6% on 3) and Austin Reaves (10.9 points, 37.2% of 3). Reaves scored 25 goals off the bench in Friday night’s 133-122 overtime loss at Philadelphia.
The Pistons own the sport worst record. Bojan Bogdanovic, who signed a two-year contract extension six weeks ago was the team’s best offensive option at 20.3 points per game, making 2.5 3s on 43.2%. Rookie Guard Jaden Ivey (15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists) starts in the backcourt with the reborn Killian Hayes (11.6 points, 6.2 assists, 1.4 steals his last 17 games).
Follow the game updates below.
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Detroit Pistons (7-21) vs Los Angeles Lakers (10-15)
When: 6 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
TV: Bally Sports Detroit.
Radio: WWJ-AM 950 (Pistons Radio Affiliates).
Live updates
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons vs. LA Lakers Game Score: Time TV Channel