Can the Lakers End Their Losing Run Against Detroit? Prediction | November 9, 2026
Detroit Pistons
Los Angeles Lakers
The Detroit Pistons will host the Los Angeles Lakers on November 9 in an NBA regular-season matchup between two teams enjoying strong starts to the campaign. Detroit have sit third in the Eastern Conference, while the Lakers lead the Western Conference. The Pistons are coming off a defeat to Philadelphia, while Los Angeles have won four consecutive games.
Detroit Pistons
Detroit come into this matchup after a 106–112 defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers, which ended their three-game winning streak. Duncan Robinson led the Pistons with 27 points, while Cade Cunningham recorded 26 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists. Despite the loss, Detroit have made an encouraging start to the season and currently hold a 6–2 record, placing them third in the Eastern Conference.
The Pistons have been particularly effective defensively, allowing just 101.8 points per game. Their Defensive Rating of 103.0 ranks first in the NBA, while their point differential of +9.4 is the fifth-best in the league. Opponents are shooting only 41.7% from the field and 32.4% from three-point range against Detroit.
Offensively, Detroit average 111.1 points per game, shooting 46.8% from the field and 37.8% from beyond the arc, the fifth-best three-point percentage in the NBA. They also average 44 rebounds and 26.9 assists per game, while their 6.5 blocks per contest rank tied for third in the league.
Cunningham leads the team with 24.0 points and 7.6 assists per game, while Robinson averages 19.0 points and shoots 47.9% from three-point range, making 4.4 shots from beyond the arc per game. Paul Reed contributes 12.8 points and 6.8 rebounds, while Jalen Duren averages 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in his two appearances. Detroit have also been considerably more productive in victories, averaging 114.3 points compared with 101.5 in defeats.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers arrive after a 124–118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, in which Luka Doncic delivered an outstanding performance with 53 points, five rebounds and five assists. The result extended their winning streak to four games, following victories over Toronto, Miami and Sacramento. Los Angeles currently have an 8–2 record and sit first in the Western Conference.
The Lakers have been the NBA's most productive offensive team so far, averaging 122.0 points per game. They also lead the league in field-goal percentage at 50.5% and rank fourth in three-point shooting at 37.9%. Their Offensive Rating of 121.1 is the third-best in the NBA, while their 14.2 made three-pointers per game provide another important source of scoring.
Doncic has been the team's leading performer, averaging 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game. Austin Reaves contributes 23.5 points per contest, while Walker Kessler averages 14.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. Los Angeles have also been effective at creating defensive pressure, ranking third in the league with 10.7 steals per game and tied for third with 6.5 blocks.
However, the Lakers have allowed 114.3 points per game, considerably more than Detroit. Their defensive performance has also varied between home and away games, with Los Angeles conceding 106.3 points per game on the road compared with 119.7 at home. They average 111.5 points away from home, below their overall scoring average, which makes their performance against Detroit's defence an important aspect of this matchup.
Head-to-Head
The Lakers have won six of the last 10 meetings between these teams, but Detroit have dominated the most recent encounters, winning the last four in a row. At home, the Pistons have also won their last two meetings with Los Angeles.
Key Trends
- The Pistons have won their last four meetings with the Lakers.
- Detroit rank first in the NBA in Defensive Rating at 103.0.
- The Pistons allow just 101.8 points per game.
- The Lakers have won their last four games.
- Los Angeles average 122.0 points per game, the best mark in the NBA.
- The Lakers shoot 50.5% from the field, ranking first in the league.
Prediction
Los Angeles have the offensive quality to overcome Detroit's defensive strength. The Lakers lead the NBA in scoring and field-goal percentage, with Doncic producing 40.1 points per game and Reaves providing another consistent scoring option. Detroit's defence has been impressive, but the Pistons' recent defeat to Philadelphia showed that they can be held below their usual scoring level. With the Lakers also arriving on a four-game winning streak and having won six of the last 10 meetings, they have a good opportunity to end their four-game losing streak against Detroit. Their superior offensive production gives Los Angeles a strong chance to finally reverse that recent head-to-head trend and come away with the victory. Recommended Bet: Los Angeles Lakers to Win
