The Warriors will play their second road game in as many nights when they travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons on Friday.
Warriors at PistonsFriday, Dec. 234:30 p.m.The Palace of Auburn HillsAuburn Hills, MI
TV: CSN Bay Area
RADIO: 95.7 The Game, Warriors Radio Network
ONTO DETROIT
The Warriors will play their second road game in as many nights when they travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons on Friday. This will be the first of two matchups between the two teams this season after splitting the season series one game apiece a year ago. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (Pacific). Watch the action on CSN Bay Area, or listen to the call on 95.7 The Game and the Warriors Radio Network.
BROADCASTER PAIRINGS
Bay Area media personality Guy Haberman and former Warriors swingman Kelenna Azubuike will fill in on the next two radio broadcasts on 95.7 The Game and the Warriors Radio Network for the team’s upcoming tilts at Brooklyn on December 22 and at Detroit on December 23. Haberman will serve as the play-by-play announcer while Azubuike will provide color commentary. Haberman replaces Tim Roye, who will move to the TV side and work the games with Jim Barnett on CSN Bay Area. For more information, click here.
LAST TIME OUT
The Warriors overcame a sluggish start and opened their three-game holiday road trip with a 117-101 win in Brooklyn on Thursday night. Kevin Durant led the way with 26 points, Zaza Pachulia logged a double-double and Klay Thompson added 23 points as the Dubs picked up their sixth straight win. Full Recap
MATCHUP AT A GLANCE
GSW
26-4
1st in West
117.4 PPG (1st)
45.5 RPG (6th)
31.2 APG (1st)
DET
14-17
11th in East
98.0 PPG (T-27th)
44.1 RPG (T-14th)
20.7 APG (T-24th)
PROJECTED STARTERS
GSW: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Kevon Looney and Zaza Pachulia
DET: Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris and Andre Drummond
INJURY & ROSTER NOTES
GSW: Draymond Green (birth of his son) was not with the team in Brooklyn. Damian Jones (D-League assignment) is not with the team. Team Notes
DET: Reggie Bullock (left knee surgery) is out. Team Notes
BATTLE ON THE BOARDS
Not only did Golden State limit all of their opponents on their recently completed undefeated homestand to 90 points or less, but they also managed to outrebound each and every one of those teams. With those three victories, the Warriors improved to 14-0 on the season in games in which they’ve outrebounded their opponent. Golden State currently exists as the second-most efficient offensive and defensive team in the league, so when they’re controlling the boards as well, there aren’t a whole lot of things for the opposition to hang their hat on. The Warriors rank 10th in the NBA with a rebounding percentage of 50.7 percent, while the Pistons aren’t far behind in 12th at 50.5 percent. Andre Drummond currently ranks second in the entire league with an average of 13.4 rebounds per game, and if Golden State hopes to win the rebounding battle on Friday night, limiting Drummond’s impact on the boards would be a great place to start.
TEAM LEADERS
GSW
PTS: Durant (25.7)
REB: Green (8.8)
AST: Green (7.2)
DET
PTS: Harris (15.6)
REB: Drummond (13.6)
AST: Smith (5.8)
DETROIT SCOUTING REPORT
It’s been an up-and-down start to the season for the Pistons. Detroit has remained somewhere between three games below .500 and two games above it for the entire duration of the season thus far, and currently sits at 14-17 on the year after losing each of their last four games. The Pistons lost those four contests by an average of 18.0 points per game, and will be playing their second of four straight home games. Defense has not been the problem, as Detroit possesses the eighth-best defensive rating and allows the third-fewest points per game in the Association, but they have not been able to carry that success over to the offensive end, where they’re scoring an average of just 98.0 points per game (T-27th in the NBA). Still, Golden State knows quite well not to overlook a feisty Pistons squad that is definitely capable of competing at a high level, given the fact the Dubs fell 113-95 in their only visit to Detroit a year ago. The Warriors will be playing the back end of a road back-to-back, so fatigue could certainly prove to be a factor when the two sides renew acquaintances on Friday.