The Pistons have been hit with their fair share of injury setbacks in recent weeks, but should have more room to let their players rest than any other team. Detroit is extremely close to securing their playoff position as the top seed in the East; either one more win for them or one more loss for the Celtics will do the trick. After that feat is accomplished, the Pistons won't have anything left to prove before the playoffs and can rest their players as needed.
The Pistons have earned the right to rest before the playoffs
Regardless of who's been able to suit up this season, the Pistons have kept winning. It's been a testament to JB Bickerstaff's commitment as a coach and motivator that Detroit has a 12-4 record without their best player in Cade Cunningham. And this success has given the Pistons a cushion in the Eastern Conference standings.
With a win tonight, they can secure the top seed for the first time since 2007. That will give them even more time to nurse any lingering injuries ahead of playoff action. Even the backups for the Pistons have shown they can win games against lesser teams, so there is no risk from sitting the typical starters. The Play-In Tournament, which will decide the Pistons' actual playoff opponent, will also add extra time that Detroit can use to get healthy.
Extra rest is desperately needed for the Pistons
The Pistons are lucky to be in a spot where they can afford to rest their guys. We all know how key Cade Cunningham's injury is for their playoff hopes, but there are also other injury concerns on the roster. Isaiah Stewart hasn't played in almost a month, and is dealing with a calf injury that has popped up multiple times in his career. Missing him against the best teams in the East will be a major blow, but perhaps extra rest can help his availability.
Anything that can help the Pistons get healthy will be greatly appreciated. The organization is gearing up for what it hopes will be its first deep playoff run in ages. That means that the young stars will be playing later into the year and under more intense circumstances than they've ever experienced before. Having a moment to relax prior, both mentally and physically, could make a world of difference in the second round and beyond.
In the worst-case injury scenario, the Pistons might even be able to rely on backups for bigger minutes in the first round. With the way they've been playing recently, they can give Cade even more rest against an 8th seed opponent. But hopefully it won't have to come to that point and the Pistons can enter the playoffs at full strength.