The Detroit Pistons cruised to an easy win over the San Antonio Spurs last night, their second in a row without Cade Cunningham in the lineup.
Obviously, the Pistons need Cunningham back, as they are entering one of the toughest stretches of the season with playoff seeding on the line, starting with the Cavaliers on Friday.
If there was a good time to not have him, this was it, as the Pistons were playing the shorthanded Pelicans and Spurs, two teams going through tough times. Regardless of the opponent, it was nice to see the Pistons get wins without Cade, as that is what good teams do, and it has a ripple effect on everyone.
Bench players got to step up and will have a little more confidence in their step and the Pistons got reps without Cunningham on the floor, something that will be important in the playoffs, as he can’t play all 48 minutes.
We know teams are going to trap and double Cade in the playoffs, but the ability to spread it around and get everyone involved will make that tougher. The Pistons are showing they have guys who can make you pay.
Everyone got involved last night, with Marcus Sasser leading the way. I can’t say enough about Sasser’s ability to stay ready even when he never knows if he is going to play.
He is playing with confidence right now, shooting a red-hot 62 percent from the floor over his last 10 games and 60.7 percent from long range, numbers that are going to make it difficult to keep him out of the rotation.
JB Bickerstaff has used a 10-man rotation for the entire season, and I don’t see him changing that, but if someone is struggling, gets in foul trouble or the Pistons have another injury, it’s great to know that Sasser is ready and waiting.
I have a feeling he’s going to play a big role in these final games and he’s the type of player who can get hot and win a playoff game.
Even if he doesn’t, he is certainly making his case to be a full-time part of the rotation next season and may make it easier for the Pistons to absorb free-agent losses at the guard spot.
Detroit Pistons magic number
With the win last night, the Pistons magic number for the 6th seed is just four games, but they still have plenty of work to do with only nine games left.
They got some help from Houston last night, who beat Atlanta and increased the Pistons’ cushion to 5.5 games.
With the Bucks losing, the Pistons are now tied for the 5th seed, and if you are curious, they would clinch the 5th if they swept the rest of their games, including the two against the Bucks to end the season.
Speaking of the Bucks...
Unfortunate injuries could ruin the playoffs
I hate injuries.
I don’t care who they are to, I never cheer for them and want to see my team play and beat another team at full strength.
But there have been a number of unfortunate ones of late, including both Cade Cunningham and Tim Hardaway Jr. for the Pistons, though it appears THJ is fine, and Cunningham should return on Friday after a week off.
Jalen Brunson has also been struggling with an ankle injury that has kept him out for 10 games and counting. He will be re-evaluated in another week but may have to miss most of the rest of the regular season.
Last night, it was revealed that Damian Lillard was diagnosed with blood clots in his leg, which will presumably end his season and at least a part of the next one, which is awful, as Dame doesn’t have too many years left and any fan of basketball wants to see him in the playoffs.
Let’s hope Dame is ok and can make a full recovery as Ausar Thompson has and Victor Wembanyama is attempting.
This is a huge blow to the Bucks, who are now at risk of dropping below the Pistons, but with the Pacers being the healthiest team of the bunch, the Pistons may be better off staying put.