The Detroit Pistons played their first game without Jaden Ivey last night, barely getting a win over a shorthanded Hornets team that isn’t very good even at full strength.
Detroit is now just two games under .500 and in the 9th spot in the Eastern Conference, a position they have not been this late in the season for a long time.
Last night was the first test without Ivey and the Pistons barely passed, as they played terribly in the first half and needed a second-half lockdown to get it done.
The tests get harder tonight, as they will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on short rest and unlike the Hornets, the ‘Wolves won’t be missing their best players.
The Pistons have won seven of their last 10 and looked as if they were starting believe before Ivey went down with a broken leg. That belief will be tested tonight, and a win would be huge for their confidence, but they’ll have to play better than they did last night.
Pistons injuries vs. Timberwolves: Will Simone Fontecchio play?
Everyone is going to have to step up in Ivey’s absence, including Simone Fontecchio, who didn’t play vs. Charlotte for personal reasons.
There is no update on whether he’ll be back tonight, but the Pistons could use his shooting, especially with Malik Beasley struggling of late. Beasley hit just 1-of-10 from long range last night but we know he’s a streaky shooter who can bounce back quickly.
Other than Fontecchio, the Pistons will be missing Jaden Ivey, obviously, who will be evaluated in a month to see if he can return this season.
The Timberwolves will be missing Rob Dillingham and Luka Garza, with Josh Minott listed as questionable.
How to watch Pistons vs Timberwolves
As usual, the 7:00 PM ET tip-off in Little Caesar’s Arena will be televised on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit if you have cable and you can listen on 97.1 FM The Ticket.
For non-cable subscribers, you can find myriad streaming options here.
Pistons keys to the game
The first key for Detroit is that someone has to step up as the secondary scoring option as Tobias Harris did last night.
It can’t just be one guy, so we need everyone from Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland II to Marcus Sasser and Wendell Moore Jr. to chip in. The Timberwolves haven’t played particularly well of late, losing two straight and five of their last 10, so Detroit is catching them at a good time.
Boston gave the Pistons a good blueprint for how to beat Minnesota, which is to generate turnovers and then get out and run. The Pistons need to play fast in transition and try to take advantage of Gobert and Randle before they get set in the half court.
The Pistons will also need to defend the 3-point line, as Minnesota shoots a ton of them. Hold the ‘Wolves to fewer than 20 made 3’s and create 15+ turnovers and the Pistons can win this game.