Ausar Thompson’s game meshes with his role. He’s the Pistons’ top perimeter defender, one of their best playmakers in transition and a great rebounder for his size. The team is 9-2 in January despite losing Jaden Ivey on New Year’s Day, largely thanks to Thompson.  “(It’s) us just trying to monitor him and keep him as fresh as we best possibly can, and honestly on some days that’s different,” Bickerstaff said of the minute restriction. “Sometimes I can look at him and see, ok he’s doing good. Other times I may look at him and think he needs a break. Just depending on the pace of the game — how many breaks, how many stoppages, free throws — all of those things play a part in it. The timeout situation around it, obviously those things impact the length of his stretches. And it’s kinda a gut feel as you’re going into the game as well.”