Pistons fans are being primed for a major overreaction.

Watching the Detroit Pistons’ season opener against the Indiana Pacers felt oddly familiar, bringing back memories from last year.

In their first game last season against Miami, the Pistons showed flashes of excitement and gave fans a sliver of hope—only to lose that game and go on to have a disastrous season.

This year’s opener felt similar: the Pistons showed potential, with Cade Cunningham lighting up the third quarter and sparking hope among fans.

But once again, they lost the game, leaving that familiar question hanging in the air.

While it’s unclear how this season will play out, fans likely won’t settle for just “competitive” losses for long. We’re hoping for more than just moral victories, but the upcoming schedule suggests an emotional rollercoaster for fans.

An overreaction from Pistons fans seems inevitable. I personally predicted the Pistons would win 30+ games this season—a prediction I’m cautiously sticking with, despite the tough stretch ahead.

Detroit faces back-to-back games against the Cavaliers on the road and then the Celtics at home.

After a day off, they’ll play Miami on the road, go to Philly, and wrap up this tough stretch with a home game against the Knicks.

There may not be any “must win” games in October, but the Pacers game came close. A win could’ve spared the Pistons from a potential 0-6 start, which now looms large and could trigger a strong reaction from fans still scarred by last year’s 28-game losing streak.

Of course, there’s a chance the Pistons pull off a win or two. In that case, fans will likely overreact in the other direction, seeing it as proof that Detroit can keep up with the East’s top teams and perhaps even make the play in.

Both reactions would be hasty: likely, the Pistons will lose most of these games, which won’t doom their season, just as winning a few wouldn’t guarantee a playoff spot.

Either way, fans are being set up for intense feelings. Let’s hope this early stretch leaves us with renewed optimism rather than the sinking feeling of déjàvu.