CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 9: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 9, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using t his photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Are we looking at a first-round playoff preview? Tonight, we could be looking at a matchup between the one seed — the Detroit Pistons — and the eighth seed — the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets, however, are not your typical eighth seed. They are one of the hottest teams in the East, and they have been since late January. They have shooting all over the floor, plenty of ball handlers, and play a quality team defense. The Detroit Pistons are healthy, so they could treat this game as a serious statement of intention against a potential opponent. Or they could treat it as a bit of a laboratory. Coach JB Bickerstaff has talked about using the season’s final two games to get certain lineup combinations experience on the floor. Chief among them is Kevin Huerter and some of the starters, and Daniss Jenkins playing alongside Cade Cunningham with the other three-person units. They will play to win, but they might also forgo the best potential situational lineup to ensure he can test these lineup combos. Game Vitals When: 7 p.m. ETWhere: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North CarolinaWatch: FanDuel Sports Network DetroitOdds: Pistons +5 Projected Lineups Detroit Pistons (58-22)Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Haris, Jalen Duren Charlotte Hornets (43-37)LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabaté ...read more read less