The Pistons need to target their former players against the Clippers

The Detroit Pistons will see some familiar faces when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers today.

It’s hard to predict what will happen in an afternoon game post-Thanksgiving, but I am hoping the Clippers loaded up on turkey yesterday and will maybe look past Detroit to their upcoming matchup vs. the Warriors.

For Detroit to have a chance in this one, they need to slow down Paul George, who is playing like an MVP candidate and has the Clippers at 10-8 even though they are missing Kawhi Leonard.

The Pistons also need to exploit matchups against the guys who used to be in Detroit, as Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris and Luke Kennard are guys they should be able to take advantage of.

Pistons vs. Clippers: Best matchups for Detroit

Marcus Morris vs. Jerami Grant

With Nicolas Batum out, it’s likely that Morris will get the start and the chance to defend Jerami Grant.

I like this matchup for Grant, who is not only quicker than Morris but should be able to shoot over him. Grant should also be the beneficiary of some wide-open looks when the Pistons’ guards blow past the Clippers’, so if Grant can knock them down, he should have a big game.

Usually, the less Grant dribbles the better, but this is a game that he should attack off the bounce and try to get Morris in foul trouble so the Clippers have to test their depth.

Saben Lee vs. Reggie Jackson

Lee played 29 minutes in the last game after Cory Joseph left with what looked to be an ankle injury. CoJo is not on the injury report, but Lee did enough to earn some minutes even if Joseph is available.

As we know too well, Jackson is an absolute sieve on defense, especially against quick guards like Lee. I love Lee to get into the lane against Jackson where he can go for monstrous dunks (can he finish one of these please?) or kick out to teammates.

As usual with the Pistons, it will come down to whether his teammates make open shots. The Pistons’ normal starters (Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes) average 17 potential assists per game between them, so Detroit has not been good at finishing the open shots they create.

I think Lee is going to give the Pistons a spark and I love this matchup for him.

Hamidou Diallo vs. Luke Kennard

Kennard, who ranks as one of the most overrated Pistons of all time, is another good matchup for the Pistons.

He’s been playing some small forward off the bench for the Clippers and even though he shoots a high percentage from 3-point range, he still doesn’t even average double digits. I wrote last season that Saddiq Bey was already better than Kennard and I stand by it.

Diallo will be matched up some with Kennard and I like this one for the Pistons as well. Diallo should be able to harass Kennard, stay in his face, and not allow him to get uncontested 3-pointers. Kennard is literally only good at ONE thing, so Diallo just needs to stop that one thing, and make Luke put it on the floor.

On the other end, Diallo needs to play with energy, stay above the rim and go after every rebound he can, as Kennard is not going to be able to stop him. The Pistons should target Kennard the entire time he is in the game, run pick-and-roll at him and force Luke to play defense.

With Bey focused on trying to stop Paul George, this would be the perfect time for Diallo to have a big game. He should be fired up and licking his chops thinking about Kennard trying to guard him and I hope the Pistons exploit his athleticism as much as possible.