Detroit Pistons fans will get a chance to see Nikola Jokic up close and personal as Detroit hosts the Denver Nuggets tonight at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons find themselves suddenly shorthanded following
a reported trade of Jaden Ivey to Chicago for Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric as part of a three-team deal. That deal is not finalized, but Jaden Ivey is out tonight, listed as not being with the team. The new arrivals are obviously also not available until the trade actually goes through. To make matters worse, two-way players Tolu Smith and Wnedell Moore Jr. are on assignment in the G League, as are young Pistons Bobi Klintman and Chaz Lanier. To make matters even worse, Caris LeVert is available to play. Just kidding, Caris. Glad you’re back and healthy. We will see if you’re still on the roster after Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline.
The Nuggets finally have Jokic back, but are now facing several weeks without Aaron Gordon, and are already missing Cam Johnson. Christian Braun is also listed as questionable tonight with an ankle issue. The Nuggets have won four of six, with their only two losses coming at the hands of the best team in each conference — the Oklahoma City Thunder and your Detroit Pistons. Detroit won that 109-107 nail-biter thanks to a 22-point, 11-assist game from Cade Cunningham, a great Tobias Harris showing — 10-of-15 from the floor for 22 points of his own, and some opportune free-throw misses from Jamal Murray. That game did not feature Jokic. We’ll see if the Pistons have what it takes to make it two in a row against the Nuggets.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -5.5
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (36-12)
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Denver Nuggets (33-17)
Jamal Murray, Jalen Pickett, Peyton Watson, Spencer Jones, Nikola Jokic
Question of the Game
What grade would you give the Jaden Ivey trade?
