Lakers Vs. Pistons TV Info & Preview: Kyle Kuzma Looks To Shine In First Homecoming

Kyle Kuzma isn’t quite from Detroit (he actually hails from nearby Flint, Mich.) but when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Pistons on Monday night, the contest will serve as a pseudo-NBA homecoming for the standout rookie.

And for Kuzma, the team’s solitary visit to the Mitten couldn’t come at a better time. He’s finally vaulted over the rookie wall he hit midway through the season, averaging 18.9 points and 8.9 rebounds on 46.9 percent shooting while knocking down 41.4 percent of his 3-pointers over his last 10 games since being inserted into the starting lineup at small forward in the wake of Brandon Ingram’s injury.

Kuzma’s strongest performance in his recent stint with the starters might have come in the Lakers’ most recent win, as Kuzma’s 15 fourth-quarter points propelled the team to a win over the Memphis Grizzlies that snapped a four-game losing streak.

But while Kuzma might be getting some home cooking from his mom in the form of spaghetti when he returns, he won’t be getting as warm a welcome from the Pistons.