Blake Griffin and the Detroit Pistons were in a fight against the Bulls Friday night. On Sunday afternoon, Griffin doesn’t need another one.
The Detroit Pistons head home to face the Chicago Bulls in a rematch following Friday night’s win against their central division rivals. The Bulls were pushed out of contention, so they have become the spoilers on a night that could better secure the sixth seed for the Pistons.
At 19-48, Chicago is still a danger for Detroit, as proven Friday when a fatigued Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond left everything on the line in the second half of the game to walk away victorious.
The point forward scored 16 points in the fourth quarter while Drummond saw the hardwood for the entire second half to mount a comeback and improve to 33-31 for the season. The Detroit Pistons could use the win, of course. But, Sunday afternoon may give Dwane Casey the opportunity to give his leaders some rest and relaxation.
When Blake Griffin tweaked his right leg against the Chicago Bulls in the previous contest, the world stopped for every Detroit Pistons’ fan. The Motown prototype of Griffin surpasses all expectations that the La-La Land version put into everyone’s minds.
At the helm of Detroit’s playoff charge this year, Griffin leads the Pistons in assists (5.4) and points per game (25.3), while shooting over 35 percent from the long-line and 47.1 percent from the field. But, before the Detroit Pistons jog into the 2019 NBA Playoffs, Coach Casey needs to limit the wear and tear on his All-Star reserve.
The Chicago Bulls are an easy target to the naked eye, but Friday night proves that Coach Jim Boleyn’s squad is ready for a fight at whatever capacity the Detroit Pistons want it. Is it worth the beating to Griffin’s body? If the rest is going to come, a Sunday afternoon game against the Bulls would be the time.
Andre Drummond saw the entire second half of the game on Friday, which was necessary to log an eight-point dub against the Bulls and his eleventh 20-point/20-rebound game of the 2018-19 regular season.
After their second game against the Chicago Bulls, the Detroit Pistons have a four-game stretch that includes a 47-win Toronto Raptors squad, the seventh-seed Brooklyn Nets, the eighth-seed Miami Heat and a Los Angeles Lakers team clawing for contention.
It’s a four-game push that could turn the tide either in the Pistons’ favor or against their current stride. The Chicago Bulls should not be looked past or through. In a more panoramic view, though, a day off could serve as the propeller for another four-game winning streak where Drummond averages 19.8 points, 16.5 rebounds and 58.3 percent from the floor – just as he did in Detroit’s recent four-game spring.
It took 43 intense minutes from the league’s leading rebounder to override a 24-point, 50.0 field-goal shooting night from Chicago Bull’s guard Zach Lavine. The race for the bottom three seeds in the NBA Playoffs is tight right now, but that makes the Drummond’s availability and steam vital in the meeting against both Brooklyn and Miami – games following Sunday’s matchup.
The Chicago Bulls are chippy. If either Bruce Brown or Reggie Jackson are out – both listed as probable – things may get interesting, even without the two big men swarming the paint. Their absence would lend an opportunity to other players in desperate need of grooming as the 2019 NBA Playoffs near.
Zaza Pachulia has been out for the last two games due to right Achilles inflammation, but is noted as probable against the Bulls Sunday afternoon. I wouldn’t suggest launching him into the deep end, but a little more time in key sets on the floor can only help work Pachulia back into the rotation or groom a new approach as he returns to game play.
If there can only be one, then Blake Griffin should get a nod to the bench. That tweak in his leg was a bit close for comfort and this ship doesn’t rock without his wave. Period.
The game can do without him, even if only for one night.