Suddenly, the Detroit Pistons are a flirtatious basketball team.

During the last three games, Detroit has looked like a competitive club, something that hasn’t happened often this season. The Pistons traded nearly half of their roster at last week’s trade deadline; most of the guys haven’t even made their NBA debut yet.

The journey began with a trip to the West Coast and a game against the Sacramento Kings, where the Pistons pulled off a stunning upset without the services of Cade Cunningham or Bojan Bogdanovic thanks to a scorching performance by Jaden Ivey (37 points, five 3-pointers). The next day, Detroit defeated the Portland Trail Blazers for their second consecutive victory in the second leg of a back-to-back, despite having an almost barren roster following the trade deadline and a 49-point assault from former Piston Jerami Grant.

However, a showing against the Los Angeles Clippers may have been the most encouraging thus far. Following their January trade for James Harden, the Clippers have risen to the top of the Western Conference rankings. Despite being a 16½ point underdog, the Pistons were in control for a large portion of the game, and even when they let things slide away, Cunningham and the team persevered until the very end. Nevertheless, they were eventually unable to pull off an upset victory. That might not seem like much, but you have to take what you can in a season that hasn’t even been full of moral wins.

LAST GAME RECAP: The Detroit Pistons lost 112-106 to the Los Angeles Clippers despite the rookies’ strong debuts.

LISTEN: Pistons vs. Lakers on Fubo (free trial)

One of the bright spots of the Clippers game was forward Simone Fontecchio, who was acquired from the Utah Jazz the day before the deadline, even though the guys added in the trade with the New York Knicks for Bogdanovic and Alec Burks haven’t made their debuts yet. In 32 minutes of action, Fontecchio scored 20 points and pulled down nine rebounds in a game when he hardly had time to get to know everyone’s names. Fontecchio will undoubtedly assist in covering several of the major gaps on the Pistons roster for the remainder of the season, it became apparent right away.

LeBron James and the Lakers, who truly need to capitalise on games like the one on Tuesday, will be facing the revamped Pistons. Though James and fellow superstar Anthony Davis have had largely healthy seasons, the Lakers have spent the majority of the season hovering around the bottom of the Western Conference playoff standings. The Lakers, who are now in ninth place in the West, would need to defeat the Pistons in order to win five of their remaining six games if they were to have any chance of advancing out of the play-in round. Before the All-Star break, the Pistons will continue their road journey on Wednesday when they take on the Phoenix Suns, another formidable club vying for place in a competitive Western Conference.

Injuries for the Detroit Pistons vs the Los Angeles Lakers

Isaiah Stewart is still out with a sprained left ankle but is getting closer to returning. Ausar Thompson (left ankle) and Cade Cunningham (left knee) did not appear on the most recent injury report, but they both began Saturday’s game against the Clippers. Both Malachi Flynn, who was acquired in the Knicks trade, and Evan Fournier did not play against the Clippers and are considered day-to-day players. Since January 30, Quentin Grimes (knee) has not participated in any games and is classified as out.

In addition to guard Gabe Vincent (knee) and big Jared Vanderbilt (right foot sprain), the Lakers are still missing Cam Redish, who hasn’t played since January 23 due to an ankle strain. Max Christie, a former guard for Michigan State, is classified as day-to-day after missing the Lakers’ most recent game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to an ankle injury.

Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons suit and jersey

The Pistons will don their black City Edition jerseys, which pay homage to the Detroit Bad Boys and have “Detroit” written in cursive across the chest and orange lines down the side.

The Lakers will don their recognisable gold clothes with the word “Lakers” printed in purple across the chest.

How to Watch Pistons at Lakers: Stream NBA Live, TV Channel

Before the All-Star Break, the Los Angeles Lakers (28-26) are beginning to gather steam once more. They host the Detroit Pistons, who have the fewest victories in the NBA this season, after winning three of their previous four games (8-44). On Tuesday, All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis have the chance to continue their ascent up the Western Conference standings with another significant victory. They would have qualified for the Play-In Tournament if the season ended today and they were eighth in the conference going into this game. After taking Spencer Dinwiddie off waivers, Los Angeles may also use him in his debut to give their second unit additional offensive firepower.

This is the last regular-season meeting between these clubs; Los Angeles won their first meeting 133-107. Since then, Detroit has made significant roster changes, while Los Angeles held firm until the trade deadline.

Detroit has had a difficult time playing the Western Conference, finishing 3-20 through 23 games thus far. Two of those victories came against the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder, two winning teams. D’Angelo Russell led Los Angeles in the first victory with 35 points and nine assists on 13 of 17 field goals. Los Angeles had a 25-point advantage going into the fourth quarter because to the combined 53 points from James (25 points) and Davis (28 points and 16 rebounds). Going into the All-Star Break, Los Angeles would be able to stay up with the rest of the Western Conference if they put on another performance like they did tonight.

What You Should Understand

Although the Lakers will play the entire four quarters on Tuesday, they should be finished much earlier. After a few days off, they will face the Detroit Pistons at 10:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers enter the game fresh off a victory, and the Pistons are hoping to reverse that outcome.

Last Friday, Los Angeles defeated the Pelicans 139-122 at home without much difficulty.