Overview
- Detroit enters 6-2 with a rising defensive identity, while Brooklyn is 1-7 heading into its Cup debut at Barclays Center.
- BetMGM posts Detroit around -10.5 with Brooklyn +375 and an over/under near 226.5.
- Brooklyn will be without Cam Thomas (hamstring) and Haywood Highsmith; Terance Mann is probable and rookie Drake Powell is questionable.
- Detroit lists Tobias Harris (ankle), Jaden Ivey (knee) and Marcus Sasser (hip) out, with Caris LeVert questionable.
- Recent form underscores the gap: the Nets just beat Indiana 112-103 behind Michael Porter Jr.’s 32, while Detroit topped Utah 114-103 with Cunningham’s 31 and Jalen Duren’s 22 points and 22 rebounds; Cleaning the Glass ranks Detroit No. 2 in halfcourt defense and Cunningham leads the league in fourth-quarter points.