Utah Jazz have owned the Detroit Pistons like none other
By Ryan Aston
The Utah Jazz-Detroit Pistons series has taken on a distinct Harlem Globetrotters-Washington Generals vibe over the last decade-plus.
On Monday night, the Utah Jazz have the chance to go three games above the .500 mark. Not too shabby for a team that was in 14th place in the Western Conference earlier this season. Standing in their way will be Blake Griffin and the visiting Detroit Pistons, which should bode well for the home team.
Not just because the Jazz beat the Pistons in the Motor City less than two weeks ago, but because they always beat them. Literally.
Few teams have dominated another like the Jazz have had their way with the former Bad Boys. Dating back to December 2005, when the Pistons were still among the East’s best teams with Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince holding it down, the Jazz have won 22 of 26 games against Detroit.
Although there have been some competitive contests, four of which went to overtime — including last year’s 98-95 OT win that propelled the Jazz to their incredible 29-6 run to close out the campaign — Utah beats Detroit by more than seven points on average. The Jazz are 8.5-point favorites heading into the current game.
It may not be the Harlem Globetrotters and Washington Generals yes, but the series has definitely been trending in that direction for some time.
From ’05 to early 2011, Utah won 11 straight. Following the Jazz’s 110-105 win on January 5, their current streak is up to five games and counting.
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The last time the Pistons found themselves on the other side of the ledger was in January of 2016 when Reggie Jackson went off for 29 points on 12-of-19 shooting to lead his team to a 95-92 win in Salt Lake City.
Jackson will suit up once again when the Pistons resume their series with the Jazz on Monday, and he’ll have more help this time, too. After missing 18 games, back-up Ish Smith is on-target to make his return in the game. With the Jazz roster completely devoid of healthy point guards, the backcourt match-up could be an X-factor for Detroit.
That said, Jazz fans shouldn’t sweat this one. Donovan Mitchell and company are rolling and the Jazz beating the Pistons is one of the surest bets in sports.
The Jazz and the Pistons will tip things off from Vivint Smart Home Arena at 7 PM MT.