Detroit Pistons at Washington Wizards on Sunday, April 11 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Pistons about a 81% chance, and the Wizards would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Pistons 81%, with a projected score of Detroit Pistons 119, Washington Wizards 110. The rating gap is 356 points in favor of the Pistons, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Wizards on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 5 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Pistons are 3-0 this season and 4-1 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +5.6. The Wizards are 2-2 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -2.8.
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.
Offense against defense
The Pistons score 118.3 a game and allow 105.7. The Wizards score 114.3 and allow 114.5. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 116.4 for the Pistons and 110 for the Wizards, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Wizards should find points against the Pistons' defense, which has been giving up 105.7.
Injuries to watch
Out: Jalen Duren (DET), expected back Nov 9, 2026, Tristan Vukcevic (WAS), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Jamir Watkins (WAS), expected back Apr 2, 2027, and AJ Dybantsa (WAS), expected back Oct 28, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Ausar Thompson (DET), Isaiah Joe (DET), Elijah Harkless (DET), and Isaac Jones (DET). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Pistons lead 5-2, with the Pistons outscoring the Wizards by an average of 9.1 points per game. The last meeting was DET 117, WAS 95.