Washington Wizards vs Detroit Pistons Picks and Prediction for Monday November 9 2026

Washington heads to Detroit on Monday night for a 7 PM ET game against the Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. The Wizards just got embarrassed by Oklahoma City, losing 114-75 on Saturday. Detroit has the Lakers on Sunday, so the Pistons will be playing on consecutive nights. That’s the one thing that gives Washington a little hope. Otherwise, this is a rough matchup for the Wizards. Detroit has been playing the best defense in basketball, and Washington just had one of the worst offensive nights of the season. The NBA action is just starting to heat up on the court and you need to make sure you are fully prepared with our free NBA predictions.

Washington Wizards Need to Forget Saturday’s Disaster

Washington is 4-6 overall and 2-3 on the road after losing to Oklahoma City by 39 points. The Wizards scored only 75, and that’s not a typo. They had put up 132 against Atlanta the night before, so the offensive collapse was pretty remarkable. That’s two very different performances in consecutive games, and it tells you how unpredictable Washington has been.

The Wizards are averaging 107.8 points per game and allowing 112.5. Those aren’t great numbers, but they’re not as ugly as Saturday’s score suggests. Washington has been capable of moving the ball and scoring against weaker defenses. The trouble is that Detroit isn’t a weaker defense. The Pistons are allowing barely 102 points per game, and Washington has to find a way to create good shots against that kind of resistance.

Washington’s biggest concern is consistency. The Wizards can’t depend on getting easy baskets, and they’ve been too willing to settle for difficult shots when opponents make them work. Saturday’s loss showed what happens when the offense stops moving. Detroit will try to do the same thing. Washington needs a much better effort on the glass and fewer wasted possessions.

Detroit Pistons Have Been Winning With Defense

Detroit enters Sunday’s game against the Lakers at 6-2 overall and 2-1 at home. The Pistons lost 112-106 to Philadelphia on Wednesday, but they’ve been one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. They’re not relying on scoring 125 every night. Detroit has been making opponents uncomfortable and forcing them to earn their points.

The Pistons are averaging 111.1 points and allowing only 101.8. That’s the lowest defensive average in the NBA. Detroit’s offense isn’t spectacular, but it doesn’t have to be when the defense is that good. Washington has been struggling to score consistently, and the Pistons should have opportunities to control this game without needing an extraordinary shooting performance.

Jalen Duren and Isaiah Joe have been listed unavailable, and Duren’s absence matters around the basket. Detroit needs to protect the glass, particularly with the Lakers game coming Sunday. The back-to-back is a legitimate concern. But the Pistons have been defending well enough that they don’t need everything to go perfectly. Against Washington, I think that gives them a pretty comfortable advantage.

Washington Wizards vs Detroit Pistons Picks and Prediction

Moneyline Pick: Detroit Pistons

I’m taking Detroit. Washington just scored 75 points against Oklahoma City, and now it has to face the league’s best scoring defense. That’s not a matchup I want to bet against. Detroit is playing on consecutive nights, and that could make the Pistons a little sluggish offensively. But the Wizards have been inconsistent, and Detroit has been much more dependable at getting stops. I like the Pistons to win. I’d be more cautious about laying a huge spread.

Total Pick: Under 221.5 Points

Give me the under 221.5 if that’s available. Detroit is allowing only 101.8 points per game, and Washington is averaging 107.8. The Wizards just scored 75, although I wouldn’t expect them to be quite that bad again. Detroit also has to play Sunday, which could lead to a slower pace Monday. The concern is Washington turning the ball over and giving Detroit a bunch of easy transition points. But I think the Pistons control the tempo and keep the total down.