Fresh off a narrow one-point victory over the Celtics two nights ago, the Detroit Pistons are teeming with momentum as the new owners of a three-game winning streak. Standing at 31-10 on the year, the Pistons are on pace to eclipse the 60-win threshold after beating the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 squad on Monday, but tonight presents a new challenge. 

Traveling to New Orleans for tonight’s matchup against the Pelicans, Detroit has an opportunity to put their foot on the gas pedal leading into the All-Star break. From a record standpoint, the Pelicans do not present an imposing squad to have with a 10-35 mark on the year, but anything can happen in the NBA from a night-to-night basis. 

But in fairness, the Pelicans have several talented, young, intriguing players like Derik Queen and Trey Murphy III who could have a message to send to Cade Cunningham’s Pistons tonight with tip-off scheduled for 8 pm. 

To Detroit’s chagrin, Zion Williamson has finally rounded out to be a dangerous, consistent scorer when he can remain healthy at 22.5 points per game this season.

Perhaps that level of production is not where some Pelicans supporters expected Zion to be at this point, but it is a vast improvement to have the Duke product on the court regularly scoring above 20 points each night. 

On top of Zion’s threat in the paint, Murphy is a high-ceiling wing player with a steady perimeter shot, and he’s found a groove lately with a string of 20-point performances of his own lately. Murphy has been a popular trade candidate for the Pistons to pursue according to Detroit fans on social media, so that presents another layer of intrigue for viewers tonight. 

This season, New Orleans boasts a lackluster 7-14 record at home, and their recent five-game clip is not any better at 1-4 overall in their last five contests. Most recently, the Pelicans suffered a 119-110 loss to the Rockets with Williamson and Murphy both eclipsing 20 points without much help. 

From a stylistic standpoint, the Pelicans are the only team in the NBA to average more points per game in the paint than Detroit. Given the Pels' drive-oriented attack plan, New Orleans scores over 50% of their points from the paint this season, so this looks to be a battle that may be settled in the low post. 

The Pistons’ injury report is relatively light heading into tonight’s game with only Caris LeVert listed at the moment. LeVert is currently dealing with an unspecified illness according to ESPN, so he will likely be a game-time decision. Cade Cunningham is also listed as questionable with an illness, so there appears to be a sickness traveling through the Pistons' locker room. 

As for the Pelicans, Herb Jones could possibly make his return to the rotation tonight after dealing with a lingering ankle issue for several games. Jones is another player that has been bandied about in potential trade talks for Detroit, so Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon could benefit from the opportunity to do some in-person scouting on Wednesday night. 

In addition to Jones' injury, Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado is also expected to miss tonight's cross-conference bout. 

Playing against the Celtics on Monday night in a duel of the East’s top two squads, Pistons veteran forward Tobias Harris turned back the clock for a vintage 25-point effort. Harris was feeling it from the opening tip with five quick points early in the first quarter, and the 15-year pro kept pouring in the buckets as the game progressed.

After the game, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff spoke about Harris’s influence on a Detroit team that is much younger than he is. 

“He was huge, and that’s consistent,” Bickerstaff said. “When we need him most, we know we can count on him. Whether that’s settling us down, finding a bucket, communicating, getting guys together– that’s why he’s so valuable to us.” 

Murphy, who was once thought of as a three-and-D player, is in the midst of a breakout season for the Pelicans. Murphy is a strong shooter from long-range with a 38.7% clip behind the arc, and he’s developed into a true second scoring option– or even primary threat depending on the matchup. 

Over the last seven games, Murphy has scored at least 30 points on four occasions with a 42-point showing against the Los Angeles Lakers mixed in there. Murphy is a contributing rebounder who also makes enough plays to wind up with a handful of assists each night, so Murphy has turned into a well-rounded, versatile player that the Pistons will need to pay attention to. 

If Murphy is a legitimate trade target for the Pistons, one who can grow with the squad in the future without shortening a perceived championship window, then tonight’s game would be the perfect opportunity for the 6-8 forward to showcase his skill set in front of a team that he may become very familiar with in the near future. 

For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.