Detroit @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 2, 2019 ) L.A. Clippers 111, Detroit 101

The Los Angeles Clippers have split their eight past games and hope to begin a run of victories when they host the lowly Detroit Pistons on Thursday in the opener of a four-game homestand. Los Angeles has three convincing wins during the up-and-down stretch, including Tuesday's 105-87 triumph over the host Sacramento Kings.

Forward Paul George scored 21 points and recorded season bests of 11 rebounds and nine assists against the Kings and he isn't the least bit concerned over the uneven stretch. "We've probably got one game under our belt where everybody's been healthy," George told reporters, referring to the team's many injuries. "We're still learning each other. Our winning streak's going to come, sooner than later I believe." The Pistons have dropped seven of their past eight games and are 0-2 on a six-game road trip that includes scoring their fewest points of the season in Monday's 104-81 setback against the Utah Jazz. "I guess I need to throw coolers and throw chairs and stuff at halftime to get professionals to come out ready to play," Pistons coach Dwane Casey said after the loss. "Maybe stand on my head."

TIME: 10:30 p.m. ET. TV: NBA TV, FS Detroit, Prime Ticket

ABOUT THE PISTONS (12-22): Power forward Christian Wood scored 11 points off the bench against the Jazz and has been impressive while reaching double digits in five of the past eight games. Wood, who will be an unrestricted free agent following the season, failed to stick in four previous NBA stops but is averaging 9.4 points and 5.0 rebounds for Detroit despite averaging just 16 minutes per game. "I'm only 24. I haven't reached my potential yet, but it's a process," Wood told reporters. "I've been going through this process and I think Casey is right by my side to help me out. It's going to go well. I don't know what's going to happen next year, but I could be here for a long run."

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (24-11): Point guard Patrick Beverley (wrist) will miss his second straight game and might not return until sometime next week. George was just 6-of-25 shooting against the Kings and forward Kawhi Leonard was 8-of-21 while scoring 24 points but the latter says winning games when people have off-games is part of what makes a team elite. "That's what championship teams are about," Leonard, who led Toronto to the NBA crown last season, told reporters. "Going through playoff runs, the best players aren't going to play great some nights. It might be somebody off the bench or somebody (else) starting that has a big game that propels us to win."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Clippers have won seven of the past 10 meetings.

2. Los Angeles reserve G Lou Williams (personal reasons) could miss his second straight game.

3. Detroit PF Blake Griffin (knee) is in danger of sitting out for the second consecutive contest.

PREDICTION: Clippers 114, Pistons 97