The Detroit Pistons need to win tonight’s game against he Utah Jazz. It is their last, best hope of avoiding setting the record for the most consecutive losses in a single NBA season. Detroit currently stands just two losses away from the 26-game record set by the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2013-14 season and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010-11. If the Pistons lose tonight, they face consecutive games against the Brooklyn Nets.
Tonight, though, might just be their lucky night. Because the Jazz are on the second night of a back-to-back, and because there might be some mercy in this cruel world, Utah is resting several of its best players, including star forward Lauri Markkanen.