With three games left in the regular season, the Detroit Pistons are playing meaningful games, which was my most optimistic hope when the season began.
The Pistons are locked into a guaranteed playoff spot but could still potentially catch the Bucks for the 5th unless Detroit loses tonight and the Bucks win ahead of their two games to finish the season.
The Knicks haven’t wrapped up the 3rd seed yet and may not care, as dropping to 4th would land them the Bucks in the first round and set up a second-round matchup with someone other than Boston.
It’s a strange situation, as both teams have something to play for, but little at stake if they lose.
For the Pistons’ part, they seem to be treating this like a game they want to win, though they’ll be attempting it shorthanded against a Knicks team that will also be missing key players.
JB Bickerstaff said this was his team’s chance to send a “message” but what message will they deliver to New York?
The Pistons can show this is going to be a battle
Detroit will be without Jaden Ivey and Tobias Harris for sure, and Isaiah Stewart is listed as questionable. Cade Cunningham is probable, but whether he plays or not, the Pistons will be shorthanded.
So will the Knicks, but a win for the Pistons tonight in front of a raucous home crowd will at least show New York that they are in for a competitive first-round series if the two do end up playing.
The Pistons aren’t just Cade Cunningham
If Cade does sit tonight, the Pistons have a chance to show they have other players who can step up, which could ultimately alter the approach New York takes in the playoffs.
I’d love to see the Pistons win behind a big game from a bench player just to give Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks one more thing to think about heading into a potential first-round series.
Cunningham has had some monster games against the Knicks this season, so stopping him will be their priority, but Detroit can give them other things to worry about.
Detroit should throw everyone at Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson has torched the Pistons for over 30 points per game this season, so Detroit has to force someone else to beat them.
How they plan to do that is up to JB Bickerstaff, but tonight he should throw a number of looks at Brunson so there is no one thing they can pin down and prepare for.
The Pistons obviously don’t want to show too much but why not confuse them with some looks they may not even use in the playoffs?
There will be plenty of chess moves going on in tonight’s game as both coaches try to send a message to a possible opponent while not tipping their cards.