Pistons 2024-25 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions

The Detroit Pistons just endured their worst season in franchise history after going 14-68, including an NBA-record 28-game losing streak and a 1-35 stretch from Oct. 30, 2023 to Jan. 12, 2024.

Detroit finished bottom five in offensive and defensive efficiency as the team rostered 31 different players, with 18 of them entering the starting lineup at some point. Only two (Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser) played more than 63 games.

After a .500 record resulted in a 2019 playoff appearance, the Pistons have won just 94 games and lost 290 over five seasons. That stretch includes four straight last-place finishes and the league's worst win-loss mark each of the last two years.

With 2023-24 representing Detroit's all-time nadir, the Pistons opted for new leadership by parting ways with general manager Troy Weaver and head coach Monty Williams, who came aboard on a six-year, $78.5 million contract before the campaign.

Former New Orleans Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon is now leading basketball operations, and ex-Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff is running the sidelines.

The Pistons really have nowhere to go but up at this point. At the very least, the team can hope for some stability, consistency and continuity as it strives for brighter days.

Here's a look at the team's 2024-25 schedule, its top matchups and a quick outlook and prediction on the upcoming year.

2024-25 Pistons Schedule Details

Season Opener: vs. Indiana Pacers, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. ET

Championship Odds: 1000-1 ($100 bet wins $100,000), per FanDuel

Full Schedule: The full schedule is available on NBA.com.

Top Matchups

Any game the Pistons play against the bottom half of the Eastern Conference should be considered a top matchup. Based on last year's standings, that's the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors.

There appears to be a rather large chasm between the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference and the bottom seven. Last year, the eighth-place Miami Heat finished 46-36, seven games ahead of the 39-43 Chicago Bulls in ninth.

It's possible the ninth through 15th place teams all stay put in the bottom half of the East standings again. Chicago lost its best player (DeMar DeRozan), as did the Brooklyn Nets (Mikal Bridges). Atlanta lost its second-best (or best, depending on who you ask) player in Dejounte Murray.

The 15-67 Washington Wizards may end up being the NBA's worst team. The Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors may have the best chance to move up given their collection of young talent, which should develop and improve. But it's still a long way to the top eight, which features a host of teams looking to win the East.

So where does that leave the Pistons? Well, it's not out of the question that they can compete for a play-in spot, which is ridiculous on the surface given Detroit's struggles but not implausible given the team's roster improvements.

Season Forecast

The Pistons have been the worst team in the NBA for the past two years.

Expect that to change in 2024-25. In fact, Detroit will finish closer to a play-in spot than last place.

A new front office and coach should provide a new perspective and a breath of fresh air in town. Detroit should hopefully get a fully healthy season out of superstar Cade Cunningham, now the owner of a five-year max deal. All the younger talent should improve after an offseason, including Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson. This year's lottery pick, Ron Holland, should provide an infusion of energy off the bench.

Plus, there's some veterans who should at least improve the roster top-down. The Pistons have welcomed ex-Philadelphia 76ers Tobias Harris and Paul Reed and a couple of wings in Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. None of them are superstars, but they are all solid players in their own right who should make the team far more competitive.

Ultimately, there's enough to be optimistic about here to avoid pencilling them in for a last-place finish. Look for them to be in the mix for a play-in berth and finally create some positive momentum going forward.

Record Prediction: 28-54, 12th in East