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The Cavs, coming off a huge OT win over Denver last night, host the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons are in 14th place with a record of 19-51 and are 8-28 on the road. But they should not be underestimated. They beat the Cavaliers in their last two meetings and have been playing some good ball lately.
The Pistons won 6 of 8 and were on a roll before losing 4 of their last 5. But those losses were to the Bulls, Celtics, Clippers, and Heat, all between 4-11 points. The Pistons are a good team right now.
This could be a deja vu of the Jan. 30 game. The Cavs were coming off a huge statement win over the Bucks and took the Pistons lightly. They got beat 115-105. Saddiq Bey punished them with 31 points. Bey scored 51 two nights back against Orlando, taking 27 shots. The Cavs are coming off another big win and can't have another emotional letdown against this team. Hopefully they will take the Pistons seriously this time.
More recently the Pistons beat the Cavs on Feb. 24 by a score of 106-103. Garland was out with his back problem, Rondo committed six turnovers, and the Cavs missed 11 free throws. The Pistons got 53 points from their bench to match the 53 from their starters. JBB said the Cavs did not have the right mindset.
In both losses the Cavs led after three quarters but gaffed it away in the 4th.
The Cavs could get a break tonight as backup point guard Frank Jackson and backup small forward Hamidou Diallo are out. Diallo had 21 points against the Cavs last game to lead the Pistons.
More importantly, Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes are listed as questionable. If they can’t go the Pistons will be down three point guards. The only other PG they have is veteran journeyman Corey Joseph.
Jeremi Grant is averaging 19.0 ppg but is shooting only 41.8% overall and 33.9% on 3’s. Bey is averaging 16.3 points but is coming off a 51-point game where he launched 27 shots with Cunningham out. He was 10-for-14 from deep so the Cavs absolutely have to pay special attention to him on the perimeter. He also had 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals as he destroyed the hapless Magic.
Marvin Bagley, Jr, age 23, 6’11” is their power forward. He averages 14.6 pts and 7.5 rebounds on 54.2% from the field. He and Mobley will be an interesting matchup.
This game could very well come down to two factors:
1) Who can go for the Pistons? Jackson and Diallo are out, will Cunningham and Hayes be available?
2) How much gas do the Cavs have left after their big overtime win last night? Darius Garland played over 45 minutes. Markkanen played 42 minutes, Mobley 38, and Love 30. The Cavs bench is going to be important tonight. We need some contributions from Goodwin, Love, Stevens, Windler, and maybe Cedi will get another chance after being benched the last couple of games.
The Pistons have won 7 of their last 13. The six losses were to Boston twice, Miami, Chicago, the Clippers, and Washington. Their biggest loss was by 11 points. The Pistons, when healthy, are a solid team right now. They are beating the bad and average teams and losing close ones to the good teams. If Cunningham can go they will be a tough opponent.
Jeremi Grant missed 26 games which was a big part of the Pistons' problems, but he is averaging 19.8 ppg in March. The Cavs held him to 4-for-15 last game - they need to do that again. If they can do that and also contain Bey they can win this, but they need some help from Brandon Goodwin. No way Garland can play 45 minutes again tonight. Goodin was awful last night with a -21 in 11 minutes. Everything fell apart when he was on the floor. The Nuggets went on a 15-0 run. Goodwin had 15 points and 5 assists in 24 minutes last month against the Pistons. He needs to get back on track tonight.
The Pistons won 6 of 8 and were on a roll before losing 4 of their last 5. But those losses were to the Bulls, Celtics, Clippers, and Heat, all between 4-11 points. The Pistons are a good team right now.
This could be a deja vu of the Jan. 30 game. The Cavs were coming off a huge statement win over the Bucks and took the Pistons lightly. They got beat 115-105. Saddiq Bey punished them with 31 points. Bey scored 51 two nights back against Orlando, taking 27 shots. The Cavs are coming off another big win and can't have another emotional letdown against this team. Hopefully they will take the Pistons seriously this time.
More recently the Pistons beat the Cavs on Feb. 24 by a score of 106-103. Garland was out with his back problem, Rondo committed six turnovers, and the Cavs missed 11 free throws. The Pistons got 53 points from their bench to match the 53 from their starters. JBB said the Cavs did not have the right mindset.
In both losses the Cavs led after three quarters but gaffed it away in the 4th.
The Cavs could get a break tonight as backup point guard Frank Jackson and backup small forward Hamidou Diallo are out. Diallo had 21 points against the Cavs last game to lead the Pistons.
More importantly, Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes are listed as questionable. If they can’t go the Pistons will be down three point guards. The only other PG they have is veteran journeyman Corey Joseph.
Jeremi Grant is averaging 19.0 ppg but is shooting only 41.8% overall and 33.9% on 3’s. Bey is averaging 16.3 points but is coming off a 51-point game where he launched 27 shots with Cunningham out. He was 10-for-14 from deep so the Cavs absolutely have to pay special attention to him on the perimeter. He also had 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals as he destroyed the hapless Magic.
Marvin Bagley, Jr, age 23, 6’11” is their power forward. He averages 14.6 pts and 7.5 rebounds on 54.2% from the field. He and Mobley will be an interesting matchup.
This game could very well come down to two factors:
1) Who can go for the Pistons? Jackson and Diallo are out, will Cunningham and Hayes be available?
2) How much gas do the Cavs have left after their big overtime win last night? Darius Garland played over 45 minutes. Markkanen played 42 minutes, Mobley 38, and Love 30. The Cavs bench is going to be important tonight. We need some contributions from Goodwin, Love, Stevens, Windler, and maybe Cedi will get another chance after being benched the last couple of games.
The Pistons have won 7 of their last 13. The six losses were to Boston twice, Miami, Chicago, the Clippers, and Washington. Their biggest loss was by 11 points. The Pistons, when healthy, are a solid team right now. They are beating the bad and average teams and losing close ones to the good teams. If Cunningham can go they will be a tough opponent.
Jeremi Grant missed 26 games which was a big part of the Pistons' problems, but he is averaging 19.8 ppg in March. The Cavs held him to 4-for-15 last game - they need to do that again. If they can do that and also contain Bey they can win this, but they need some help from Brandon Goodwin. No way Garland can play 45 minutes again tonight. Goodin was awful last night with a -21 in 11 minutes. Everything fell apart when he was on the floor. The Nuggets went on a 15-0 run. Goodwin had 15 points and 5 assists in 24 minutes last month against the Pistons. He needs to get back on track tonight.
