Brooklyn @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 2, 2019 ) Brooklyn 109, Detroit 113

The Brooklyn Nets will once again attempt to break out of their funk when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Saturday in the opening contest of a two-game road trip. Brooklyn has dropped five straight games and 12 of 14 after suffering a 128-113 home loss against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

The Nets have lost by double digits four times during the five-game skid while exclusively playing teams with winning records and now their next seven contests are against teams with losing marks. "There are no easy games, especially in the NBA," point guard Kyrie Irving told reporters. "All these teams are gonna come at us. They know the type of position we're in right now and what we're fighting for. We acknowledge that fact. We're just gonna come out there and compete and see where we end up." The Pistons had won three of four games before losing 125-112 to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday in the second contest of a four-game homestand. Standout center Andre Drummond (lacerated lip) has missed back-to-back games and is questionable for Saturday.

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: YES, FS Detroit

ABOUT THE NETS (18-25): Irving (shoulder) and shooting guard Caris LeVert (thumb) are still working back into form after missing more than half the season with injuries. Spencer Dinwiddie, who averages 21.5 points, remained in the starting lineup after the return of both players while LeVert continues to lack consistency in the bench role and had 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting in the loss to the Lakers. "We're obviously better with him and his experience and his ability to handle the ball and make plays, but again, he's still looking to catch his rhythm," Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. "We want him back where he was the first 10 games of the season, last year, the playoffs. I know it's in Caris. He has that in him."

ABOUT THE PISTONS (17-29): Veteran Derrick Rose has scored at least 20 points in a career-best 11 straight games after recording 22 points and eight assists against the Grizzlies. Fellow point guard Reggie Jackson started alongside Rose and is averaging 18 points in two games since returning from a 42-game absence due to a back injury but the duo couldn't steer the Pistons to a win. "We just had some breakdowns toward the end of the game that's not supposed to happen," Detroit forward Markieff Morris told reporters after the loss. "They're a young, quick team. They play hard, they play together and they've got some young, great talent."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pistons have won six of the past nine meetings, including a 113-109 home triumph on Nov. 2.

2. Brooklyn C DeAndre Jordan (dislocated finger) is questionable after missing the past three games.

3. Detroit SF Tony Snell and SG Bruce Brown both sat out Friday due to illnesses and are questionable to play versus the Nets.

PREDICTION: Pistons 113, Nets 107