The Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Los Angeles, is set for a thrilling NBA showdown this Sunday, December 28, as the LA Clippers prepare to host the Detroit Pistons. The game, tipping off at 9 p.m. EST, promises a fascinating clash between two teams on different trajectories this season.
Team Form and Recent Performances
The LA Clippers, with a season record of 9 wins and 21 losses, are riding a wave of momentum. They secured their third consecutive victory on Friday night, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 119-103 on the road. A dominant defensive display in the second half, where they held the Trail Blazers to just 31% shooting from the field, was key to their success.
On the other side, the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons (24-7) are looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking loss. Their five-game road trip record moved to 2-1 after a narrow 131-129 defeat against the Utah Jazz on Friday. The loss came in the final seconds following a go-ahead floater from Jazz guard Keyonte George with just 2.1 seconds left on the clock.
How and Where to Watch the Game
For fans eager to catch all the action live, the broadcast will be available on the FanDuel Sports Network - Detroit and FanDuel Sports Network SoCal. For those preferring online streaming, the game can be accessed via Fubo and Peacock platforms.
Expected Lineups and Key Player Matchup
The anticipated starting lineups set the stage for an exciting contest. The Clippers are likely to field a lineup featuring James Harden at point guard, Kris Dunn at shooting guard, Kawhi Leonard at small forward, John Collins at power forward, and Brook Lopez at center.
The Pistons' expected starters include Cade Cunningham at point guard, Duncan Robinson at shooting guard, Ausar Thompson at small forward, Tobias Harris at power forward, and Jalen Duren at the center position.
All eyes will be on the marquee point guard duel between James Harden and Cade Cunningham. Cunningham is enjoying his best professional season, averaging 26.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 9.6 assists per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Harden, rediscovering his elite form, is posting impressive numbers of his own: 26.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game on 44.1% shooting.
Injury Report and Game Prediction
The injury report could influence the game's dynamics. For the Clippers, Wendell Moore Jr. is listed as Out due to his two-way contract situation with the Pistons. The Pistons have a longer list: John Collins (Illness) and Cam Christie (Ankle) are Day-to-day, while Bogdan Bogdanovic (Hamstring), Ivica Zubac (Ankle), and Bradley Beal (Season-ending surgery) are all Out.
Despite their superior record, the Pistons enter this game after a tough loss and face injury challenges. The Clippers, positioned 13th in the Western Conference, are building confidence with their winning streak and have home-court advantage. This sets up a potentially tight contest where the star guard matchup could be the deciding factor. The Clippers' recent form and defensive intensity might give them a slight edge to extend their winning run, but Cunningham's brilliance ensures the Pistons remain a formidable threat.
