With Cade Cunningham out again, everyone must step up
The bad news is that the Detroit Pistons will once again be without Cade Cunningham as they host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena. Apparently, the left calf contusion that forced Cunningham to miss the previous two games was more than just strategic rest against two of the league’s worst squads. The good news is that the Cavaliers are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, with a game Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs that was tight throughout. While Cleveland prevailed 124-116, it needed 35 minutes from Donovan Mitchell and 30 apiece from Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland to get it done. Evan Mobley missed that game, and he will be back tonight. Max Strus started against the Spurs, and the team will rest him tonight. For the Pistons to win, everyone needs to contribute. That includes center Jalen Duren continuing his string of strong and forceful play. It also means that both Dennis Schröder and Marcus Sasser, with some help from Duren and Ausar Thompson, need to keep the offense humming and the ball moving.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Extra
Odds: Pistons +6.5
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (41-32)
Dennis Schröder, Tim Hardaway, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Cleveland Cavaliers (59-14)
Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen