2 Detroit Pistons lineups we can’t wait to see

The Detroit Pistons once again had to start the season shorthanded, with Bojan Bogdanovic, Monte Morris and Isaiah Livers out with various injuries.

Injuries have plagued this team for years, and it doesn’t help that these three players represent a good chunk of the team’s shooting.

It showed at times last night, as Cade Cunningham didn’t have a secondary scoring option to relieve some of the load. Cade controlled the game, set up teammates, scored at will and was the best player on the floor, but he had to do a lot offensively just to keep the Pistons in the game.

There were so many positives from the first game, especially defensively, and there was a different feel even the ultimate result was the same.

The Pistons struggled in the half court at times, but that could change when they are fully healthy and can break out the lineups we’ve been waiting to see.

2 Detroit Pistons lineups we can’t wait to see

Two vets making life easier for Cade Cunningham

• Cade Cunningham
• Monte Morris
• Ausar Thompson
• Bojan Bogdanovic
• Jalen Duren

Monte Morris will be reevaluated in three weeks and will hopefully return 100 percent, as the Pistons could have used him last night. Putting him and Bojan with Cade immediately gives the Pistons’ star more space to work with, as well as a secondary ball handler who can hit shots in Morris.

Killian Hayes played well defensively last night, but it would have been nice for a few of his 3’s to have come from Morris, who hits nearly 40 percent of them. Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren have shown they can get boards and protect the rim, which should hopefully make up for some of Bojan’s defensive problems.

I think we’ll see this lineup close out a lot of games this season and the two vets that are out right now are going to make life easier for Cade.

Two bigs

• Cade Cunningham
• Killian Hayes
• Bojan Bogdanovic
• Ausar Thompson
• Isaiah Stewart

Isaiah Stewart’s energy and defense were game-changers last night, and he put to rest some of the fears we had about playing two bigs. Monty Williams has repeatedly said that defense is going to play, but offense was tough to come by last night without Bojan Bogdanovic flanking Cade.

I love Ausar, Killian and Beef Stew defensively, and with Bojan back, this lineup should have a bit more spacing in the half court, especially if Stewart can continue to hit shots. The best offensive sets came off of stops for Detroit, and this lineup should be able to get them.

I can’t get too excited about a loss, but the Pistons showed heart and if you squinted hard enough, you could start to see the beginnings of a team. Now they just have to get healthy, as Bojan and Morris can really help fix some of their flaws.