Pistons star upgraded to questionable
The Detroit Pistons finish up trying to secure a win after losing the first two on a three-game road trip. Tonight, they face the Toronto Raptors , who themselves have lost two in a row after winning their previous four games. The good news for the Pistons is that help might be on the horizon. Not only are they getting back Ron Holland and Marcus Sasser, both suspended for Detroit’s latest loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, there is a small chance Cade Cunningham might be available to play. Cunningham, who has missed five games with a calf contusion, is upgraded to questionable for this game. Questionable isn’t available, and it’s not probable, but it’s also not out.
Game Vitals
When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -11
Analysis
The Pistons might not need Cunningham to suit up in order to beat the Raptors. A win clinches the team’s first playoff berth since 2018-19. That would put them one step closer to notching their first playoff victory since 2008-09. Yeah, it’s been rough in Motown. If the Pistons win, they are in. If they lose and the Orlando Magic also lose, they are also in.
The Raptors were just officially eliminated from the play-in with a loss to the Chicago Bulls. So they officially have nothing to play for as the season winds down.
Toronto will be without RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes is questionable. Barrett is being held out for rest and Barnes ould miss with a right hand injury and MCP joint contusion. The Pistons will be without the services of Tobias Harris, who is being held out with right heel soreness. End-of-season basketball, am I right?
The big question is whether the Raptors have any interest in actually winning this game. The Raptors are in a comfortable 23rd place in the standings, with a multiple-game cushion on either side of them. That means there is not much direct harm if they manage to win the game, and no real direct benefit in losing the game.
They are in the NBA abyss. While they recently reeled off four consecutive victories, those wins came against the Wizards, Nets, Hornets, and Sixers . They followed that up with losses to the Bulls and Blazers. Prior to the winning streak, they lost four to the Blazers, Suns, Warriors, and Spurs. Cumulatively, that is not the most encouraging 10-game stretch I have ever seen.
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (42-34)
Cade Cunningham, Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren
Toronto Raptors (28-49)
Immanuel Quickley, Jakobe Walter, Jamison Battle, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl
Question of the Game
Where would Cade Cunningham and former Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes fall in your ranking of the 2021 NBA Draft class?