Isaiah Stewart's return and 4 other games that will have Pistons extra hyped

The Detroit Pistons schedule was released yesterday, and the first game everyone looked for was the return of Isaiah Stewart to the Motor City. 

The Pistons have a tough start to the schedule, running the gauntlet of the Eastern Conference elite in the first four games. 

Isaiah Stewart will return to Detroit on December 2nd when the Pistons take on his new-look Grizzlies.  

Stewart’s exit from Detroit wasn’t exactly acrimonious, but he didn’t get much fanfare from the team, and they unceremoniously dumped him for cap space and 2nd-round picks even though he was the team’s longest tenured player. 

Stewart didn’t take cheap shots at the team (though some tried to portray it that way), but you do get the sense he was somewhat hurt by the way it went down even though all players understand the business of the league, which can be harsh. 

There may not be bad blood, but you know Stew wants to show out in his first game in Detroit, so the Pistons’ bigs can expect a battle and probably some pushing and shoving, and I wouldn’t be shocked if there were a fight. Like I said, no bad blood, haha. 

I hope the Pistons give him a big welcome, as Stewart was in the trenches when the team was horrible, and he was part of the group that pulled them out of decades of futility. He’ll get a warm response from the crowd, then we’ll go to war, exactly how Beef Stew would want it. 

His return isn’t the only game for which the Pistons will be extra hyped. 

The return to the scene of the crime in Orlando: November 24 

Magic fans probably still have PTSD after watching their team blow a 3-1 series lead, including a 24-point lead in game six on their home floor. 

This will be the first game back to the arena where it happened, and I am certain the Magic will be ready to reassure their fans. It should be a fun one. 

The Pistons test the class of the West in OKC: December 22 

This will be a big test for the Pistons, as it is the second game of a four-game road trip that starts in Boston. 

OKC will be the first game of a back-to-back that includes the Hawks, so this will be a great early test for the Pistons to see if they can hang with the elite of the Western Conference. 

Measuring against the Cavaliers on national TV: January 18 

The Pistons will play in Cleveland on MLK Day, so this will be a nationally televised game leading into the weeks before the trade deadline.  

It will be a good measuring stick for both teams, as the Pistons want to show they’re ready to overtake the veteran Cavaliers, and Cleveland will want to show they aren’t ready to step aside. 

Home game against the champs: February 3 

It feels like the Pistons and Knicks were denied what they seemed to be headed for all last season, which was a meeting in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Detroit beat up on the Knicks in the regular season last year but never got the chance to do it in the playoffs.  

In addition to the rivalry, this will be right before the trade deadline, which will add extra drama. 

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