Detroit Pistons at Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, January 8 is about as close to a coin flip as the ratings get, with the Lakers at only 56%. Small things like rest, health and shooting variance should decide it.
Why it is so close
The Win Meter reads the Lakers 56%, with a projected score of Detroit Pistons 112, Los Angeles Lakers 114. The rating gap is 58 points in favor of the Pistons, and home court and rest add about 101 rating points for the Lakers on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 44 times in 100 games like this, the Pistons would win.
Recent form
The Pistons are 2-0 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +2.2. The Lakers are 2-0 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -3.2.
The Pistons' best recent win was 115-94 on the road against CLE.
The Pistons were beaten 125-94 at home by CLE not long ago.
The Lakers' best recent win was 127-105 at home against GSW.
The Lakers were beaten 131-108 at home by OKC not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Day to day or questionable: Ausar Thompson (DET), Jalen Duren (DET), Cameron Carr (LAL), and Adou Thiero (LAL). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Pistons lead 4-0, with the Pistons outscoring the Lakers by an average of 10 points per game. The last meeting was LAL 110, DET 113.