The Detroit Pistons have a 1-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavs in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
Heading into game one against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night, the Detroit Pistons had a lone player listed on the injury report in Kevin Huerter, which means that the Eastern Conference’s top seed is relatively healthy for the second round matchup.
During the Pistons’ seven-game series with the Orlando Magic in round one, Huerter developed a left adductor strain that forced his absence from the final three games of that battle and Detroit’s 111-101 victory over the Cavs in game one as well. For each of those matchups, Huerter carried a questionable designation for the pre-game injury report, but Red Velvet is listed as doubtful for game two later tonight.
Though Huerter had a middling first half of the season with the Chicago Bulls, the eighth-year veteran moderately increased his production with the Pistons during the second half, but it was difficult for him to find playing time on the East’s top squad at first. But since settling in, Huerter averaged 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game during the month of April, and he even ascended within head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s mind as he became one of the first Detroit players off the bench on a nightly basis.
But in terms of Huerter’s recovery, the All-Star coach indicated that the wing is inching closer in his recovery despite the decline in his pre-game injury designation.
“He’s taking steps,” Bickerstaff said on Wednesday. “It’s just one of those things like always, it’s like you do the work today and see how it turns out tomorrow. He’s building in the right direction.”
As expected, Bickerstaff chose to keep the details of Huerter’s hip injury close to the vest for competitive reasons. The Cavs already have a strong sense of familiarity for the Pistons as Central Division rivals, so every advantage is worth taking in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. But along those same lines, Detroit is staying ready for any scenario given how unpredictable the playoffs can be.
“It sounds cliche, but you just gotta stay ready,” Pistons forward Ron Holland said. “That’s the NBA. You never know when it’s your night or when it's your moment, but if you’re in the gym every single night and once the coach calls you in to go out there, trust your work and trust your habits. It’s just about being ready.”
On the other side of the matchup, the Cavs also have a singular player on the injury report in Sam Merrill. According to ESPN, Merrill is dealing with a left hamstring strain, and he’s currently questionable to suit up for game two later tonight.
During the regular season, Merrill put up 12.8 points while shooting 42.1% from three-point range, so the Cleveland reserve is a dangerous perimeter threat when healthy. However, the Pistons have one of the elite perimeter defenders in the NBA on their roster in Ausar Thompson to help level the playing field in that respect.
Game two between the Pistons and Cavs is set to take place later tonight at Little Caesars Arena in the Motor City with tip-off set for 7 pm.
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.