Washington scored 132 in Atlanta on Friday and 75 in Oklahoma City on Saturday. Both were losses, but the gap went from seven points to 39. Detroit has the defense to make Monday another tough scoring night. With the Pistons favored by double digits, how Washington gets its points matters as much as whether it can get stops.
Detroit can make Washington work for every basket
The Wizards missed their first seven shots and went 7-for-43 from deep in a 114–75 loss in Oklahoma City. Alex Sarr still put up 15 points and 14 rebounds. Sarr’s scoring inside could matter again if Davis sits. Anthony Davis is questionable for Monday with an ankle injury after missing Saturday’s game.
Washington’s offense and Detroit’s defense both grade A− in our ratings. Detroit has held four of its nine opponents below 100 this season, including Charlotte twice. The Wizards’ Friday loss shows the other possibility. They gave up 139 and still finished within seven because they kept scoring.
Where Detroit can find separation
Detroit fell behind 40–14 on Sunday before cutting the deficit to three late in the third. Daniss Jenkins and Kevin Huerter scored 55 between them off the bench in the 121–116 loss to the Lakers. Even a smaller contribution from the bench can matter if it keeps Detroit scoring while Cade Cunningham sits.
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DraftKings had Detroit favored by 10.5 on Monday morning. Four of the Pistons’ six wins came by double digits, and the other two were by eight. If Washington’s shots are falling, Detroit may need another good night from its supporting scorers to open up that kind of margin.
What Washington adds to the total
Eight of Washington’s ten games went under their posted totals, but half finished above Monday’s 217.5. The last three alone produced 189, 271 and 225 combined points. Friday’s game is the clearest example of how Washington can help push a total higher even when its defense gives up plenty. If the Wizards struggle to score again, Detroit could have room to pull away without a particularly high score.
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