The Battle for Big Man Bragging Rights: Sarr vs. Duren in Motown

Tonight's tilt in Detroit isn't just another ho-hum Washington Wizards vs. Detroit Pistons blowout, even though the spread says otherwise. Forget the 11.5-point favorite status for a second, because the real show is happening in the paint: Jalen Duren vs. Alex Sarr, the two future stars battling for supremacy at the five. We’re finally getting the first matchup this season between these two young centers, and honestly, styles make fights.

Duren is an absolute bully for the Pistons, a physical monster who lives in the restricted area. He’s putting up a nasty 19.4 points and almost 12 boards a night, feeding off that lethal connection with Cade Cunningham. Those two are clicking. The Pistons have been one of the biggest surprises in the East, rolling into this game at a strong 8-2 with a six-game winning streak under their belt. It’s all good vibes in Detroit, which is why the bookmakers are drooling over this matchup.

But, let's talk about the Wizards’ saving grace, Sarr. Washington is a terrible 1-9, but Washington has been one of the only reasons to watch. This guy has seriously upgraded his physicality this year, with nearly 19 points, 7.7 rebounds, and an elite 2.5 blocks, ranking third in all of NBA. He's like the antidote to Duren in that he's more of a tall, shot-blocking threat who can score.

Now for the fine print, the part that actually counts: Detroit is on the second night of a back-to-back, having just edged out the Sixers. The injury list is starting to sound like a horror movie, Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart are both dealing with ankle issues and were out yesterday. Ronald Holland is stepping into the starting lineup because of it. Sasser is out for a month with a hip issue, and Ivey is MIA from surgery. That fatigue, plus the missing bodies, has to hit them eventually, right? The Wizards got Sunday off. 

If Sarr and Kyshawn George (who is shooting the lights out, by the way) can capitalize on Detroit's tired legs and thin frontcourt, maybe, just maybe, they can cover that massive spread. It's a national TV game on Peacock, maybe the Wiz come out fired up for the bright lights. They’ve been terrible against the spread lately, but that’s the beauty of a young team on a back-to-back: anything can happen.