The Detroit Pistons are favored to win against the Brooklyn Nets in Friday night’s NBA Cup group stage game at Barclays Center, tipping off at 7:30 p.m. Detroit is remembered for challenging the New York Knicks in a crucial playoff matchup last year, while Brooklyn had yet to claim a regular-season victory by Tuesday.
Currently, Detroit rides a four-game winning streak, including a recent hard-fought road victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. The main uncertainty lies in the unpredictable results typical of the NBA Cup's first round. For example, Cleveland and Indiana both have 0-1 records in East group A.
Brooklyn, meanwhile, secured its first win of the 2025-26 season by defeating the Indiana Pacers 112-103 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday. Although the Pacers share a 1-7 record with the Nets, Brooklyn showed improved defensive effort in that game.
"Detroit is still known as the team that bothered the New York Knicks in a critical playoff encounter last year, going against a Brooklyn team that hadn't even won a regular-season game as of Tuesday."
"Brooklyn is finally in the win column for 2025-26 after tripping the Indiana Pacers 112-103 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday."
This raises the question of whether Brooklyn's recent breakthrough and the unusual nature of tournament play could make them a viable pick in this matchup.
Note: Data was collected on November 7, 2025, and may have changed since.
Detroit enters as the clear favorite with momentum, but Brooklyn’s first win of the season and the unpredictable NBA Cup format add intrigue to this matchup.
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