The Detroit Pistons are essentially in must-win territory heading into game four against the Orlando Magic later tonight
Over the past week, the Detroit Pistons have had a concerning week-long introduction to the postseason with a 1-2 record against the Orlando Magic in their first round matchup. So far, the Magic have been abundantly successful at limiting All-Star center Jalen Duren’s impact, and the Pistons offense has struggled to compensate for JD’s lack of production in the playoffs thus far.
Detroit’s 2-1 hole after three games is not due to lack of effort from Cade Cunningham, however, as the All-Star floor general put up a playoff career-high 39-point total in game one before logging back-to-back 27-point double-doubles more recently. But even with Cunningham taking the lead as an assertive playmaker, the Pistons have looked like a distant, forgotten relative of the 60-win team from the regular season through three games versus Orlando, and the Eastern Conference’s top seed needs to respond with a strong performance tonight to swing the momentum back into their direction before heading back to the Motor City for game five.
In order to do so, the Pistons will take the court tonight with a mostly healthy contingent of players at head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s disposal. During game three, veteran wing Kevin Huerter, who the Pistons picked up mid-season in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, was forced to exit the contest due to a right hip injury, and the team announced shortly thereafter that he would not return in the eight-point loss. Over the past two days, Huerter has worked to recover from his hip injury, and Red Velvet currently carries a day-to-day designation according to ESPN.
With Huerter questionable to suit up tonight, that could mean more minutes are on the table for Bickerstaff to distribute across the Detroit bench. Throughout the regular season, the Pistons often utilized a 12-man rotation on a nightly basis, though the team emptied the bench entirely on a handful of occasions considering the team’s immense depth. But on Saturday afternoon, Ron Holland lodged a DNP without checking into the game for a single minute, so he’s the first candidate who could see their role increase due to a potential Huerter absence.
On the Magic side of tonight’s contest, Orlando is still monitoring the progression of veteran forward Jonathan Isaac as the 6-10 Florida State product works through a left knee sprain. Up until this point, Isaac has floated between doubtful and out at different points of the first round series for Orlando, and the seventh-year forward is once again doubtful to compete for the Magic.
Overall, both squads have succeeded in staying healthy even though the series has been overtly physical during the first three games. In particular, Isaiah Stewart has mixed it up, as expected, with several members of the Magic by now, and it seems clear that Orlando is looking to provoke Beef Stew into a more serious altercation. But as a sign of growth from his past transgressions, Stewart has continued to look the other way so that he remains available for the Pistons throughout their postseason journey.
The Pistons and Magic are slated to tip-off tonight at 8 pm for the fourth installment of their first round playoff series and the game will be available to watch on Peacock.
For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.