Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Friday’s matchup between the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets.
NBA Cup action resumes Friday night as the Brooklyn Nets host the Detroit Pistons for an East Group B matchup at Barclays Center.
The Nets (1-7, 13th East) look to build on their first win of the season after a brutal 0-6 start, while the Pistons (6-2, 2nd East) aim to extend a four-game winning streak — three of those victories coming by double digits.
Looking at the injury report, Marcus Sasser (hip), Jaden Ivy (knee), and Tobias Harris (ankle) are out for Detroit, with Caris LeVert (knee) listed as questionable. For Brooklyn, Cam Thomas (hamstring) and Haywood Highsmith (knee) are sidelined.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Pistons enter as a commanding 10.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while the Nets are listed as +370 underdogs. The game’s total is set at 227.5 points.
Pistons vs. Nets Preview
The engine is revving in Motor City. The Pistons have carried the momentum from their first playoff appearance in five years into the 2025-26 season, rattling off four straight wins on their way to Brooklyn.
Detroit’s defense — anchored by Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland, Isaiah Stewart, and company — has been one of the league’s most dominant units, ranking third in defensive rating and fueling a top-seven net rating.
The Pistons have struggled to limit second-chance opportunities but excel at virtually every other aspect of defense. Detroit holds opponents to just 42.3% shooting from the field — the lowest in the league — and leads the NBA with over seven blocks per game.
While Detroit’s offense is average overall, it’s bolstered by Cade Cunningham, who’s averaging 24.5 points and 9.6 assists per game.
The Nets, meanwhile, remain one of the league’s perennial punching bags. Brooklyn finally secured its first win of the season — against the Indiana Pacers, who have also stumbled to a 1-7 record without Tyrese Haliburton. The Nets pair a lifeless offense with a league-worst defense, resulting in a disappointing 28th-ranked net rating.
While Detroit holds opponents to the lowest field-goal percentage, Brooklyn does the polar opposite. Teams are shooting an astonishing 51.2% from the floor and 42% from three against the Nets.
Pistons vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet
Detroit leads the NBA in points in the paint, and Brooklyn gets crushed inside. The Pistons rank among the league’s top rebounding squads, while the Nets sit near the bottom.
Especially with Brooklyn’s top option in Cam Thomas sidelined, count on Detroit to capitalize on these clear advantages and cruise to its fifth-straight win in commanding fashion.