Washington @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 4, 2019 ) Detroit 99, Washington 115

The Detroit Pistons have some impressive wins over quality teams during a recent hot stretch, and they'll try to take advantage of one of the league's lesser squads when they host the Washington Wizards on Monday. Detroit's 5-2 surge includes a home win over a solid Indiana team and a head-turning 115-107 triumph at Houston on Saturday night.

The win came with star center Andre Drummond sidelined with an eye infection and star forward Blake Griffin playing just one half and shooting 0-for-7 before leaving with a knee issue. "Next man up," guard Tony Snell told reporters after contributing 15 points to help the Pistons win their third straight on the road. "We've all got to try to find a way to step in together and try to chip in." The Wizards have lost four straight and seven of the last eight games after a 128-111 setback at Memphis on Saturday. Bradley Beal led the way with 29 points and 10 rebounds in the loss as Washington fell to 3-11 on the road.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, FS Detroit

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (7-17): With centers Thomas Bryant (foot) and Moritz Wagner (ankle) out Saturday, Washington was outrebounded 58-37 and gave up a whopping 70 points in the paint. "That's been a problem," coach Scott Brooks told reporters of the interior play. "I told our guys, I know we are short-handed, but we still have to be able to scrap. We did not scrap enough." Beal is averaging 25.6 points per game in December but shooting just 37.3 percent in that span after an 8-for-23 showing against the Grizzlies.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (11-15): Snell and fellow guard Bruce Brown took on the task of trying to slow down Houston's superstar James Harden, and while he still managed 39 points it was hard-earned and required 33 shot attempts. "They get the game balls, for sure," guard Luke Kennard (22 points) told reporters of Snell and Brown. "They made it tough for him. He's a good player. He's going to get his. But you've got to make it tough on him and I thought they really did a good job of that tonight." Derrick Rose provided a big boost off the bench with 20 points and a season-high 12 assists.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Wizards PG Isaiah Thomas (calf) missed the last five games and is considered day-to-day.

2. Pistons C Christian Wood recorded his fourth double-double Saturday with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

3. Beal led six players in double figures with 22 points in a 115-99 win over Detroit at home earlier this season.

PREDICTION: Pistons 116, Wizards 107