The Detroit Pistons are looking for a bit of revenge as they host the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons suffered a 112-99 loss on Dec. 28 courtesy of the Clippers. It was
their first double-digit loss since the fourth game of the season. In that game, Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 55 points. That revenge is going to be hard to come by, however, because, despite a couple days off, the Pistons injury report is ugly. Cade Cunningham is out again, missing his second straight game. He joins starters Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris, who are still nursing injuries. But that’s not all. Isaiah Stewart, one of the heroes of Detroit’s win against Chicago on Thursday, is also out with an illness.
That leaves Detroit’s power forward possibilities a bit in shambles, at least if you’re looking for any sort of reliable offense. Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland might split the power forward minutes while Paul Reed and two-way big man Tolu Smith handle center minutes. Or maybe we’ll finally see Isaac Jones, a little-used center claimed off waivers from the Kings earlier this season. We might also see Bobi Klintman handle some of the forward minutes. If the Pistons want to win, someone is going to have to play the hero, and it’s probably going to be someone you never expected. My money is on a Holland chaos game with some perimeter shot-making.
Game Vitals
When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -1.5
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (28-9)
Jaden Ivey, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland, Paul Reed
Los Angeles Clippers (14-23)
James Harden, Kris Dunn, Kawhi Leonard, John Collins, Ivica Zubac
