The Detroit Pistons have another elimination game on the docket tonight against the Orlando Magic
For the duration of the Pistons’ first round matchup with the Orlando Magic, which is currently tilted toward the eight seed by a 3-2 margin, Detroit has remained healthy for the most part. Pistons wing Kevin Huerter has battled a hip issue for the last several games, but that was the extent of Detroit’s injury woes up until now.
With the Pistons’ playoff lives on the line, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will be forced to manage Huerter’s left adductor strain in addition to another injury that popped up to veteran forward Tobias Harris. As a member of Detroit’s starting rotation, Harris has played an important role in the series thus far by upping his output to just under 20 points per game. Considering Jalen Duren’s playoff struggles, Harris’ ascension could not come at a better time for the Pistons, but the 15-year forward is working through a sprained left ankle.
During the second half of game five, Harris backed into the stanchion after a play at the rim, and Detroit’s starting power forward immediately grimaced in pain before grabbing his impacted ankle. Harris limped for a moment as he trotted back to rejoin play, but the playoff riser stuck it out and remained available for the rest of the Pistons’ 116-109 win on Wednesday night.
As mentioned earlier, Huerter is still dealing with hip discomfort that held him out of Detroit’s win two days ago. During the postseason, Huerter made the cut as Bickerstaff moved to shorten the Pistons’ bench, so it’s clear that the Trade Deadline acquisition has settled into an important role since joining his teammates in the Motor City just over two months ago. Huerter has experience performing in the playoffs as well, so his composure is another element that Bickerstaff has identified as valuable on such a young Detroit squad. Both Huerter and Harris are questionable for game six later tonight, and the pre-game shootaround could be telling in terms of their status for the elimination game.
On the Magic side of the equation, Franz Wagner was forced to miss game five due to a right calf strain, and the rangy forward’s condition hasn’t improved enough to suit up for tonight’s playoff matchup. Wagner’s absence could be key for the Pistons since the Michigan product was tasked with guarding Cade Cunningham on-ball before suffering his calf injury, and Detroit’s floor general struggled mightily under such on-ball pressure. Wagner was more than effective at impacting Cunningham’s playmaking ability and forced the All-Star into a slew of turnovers, so Detroit would pick up a decided advantage if the Magic are forced to go with Jamal Cain as their starting point guard for game six.
In addition to Wagner's defensive value, the Orlando forward dominated during the fourth quarter of game one with 11 points in the frame to help secure the Magic's first win of the series. Wagner has proven to be a crucial piece of Orlando's squad at this stage in the season, so his absence tonight could tip the scales in Detroit's favor.
To round out the injury report, Magic forward Jonathan Isaac is in about the same position with his left knee sprain as he has been for the entire first round series. At the moment, Isaac is listed as doubtful to play, though that’s the same designation he’s held for prior games before being ruled out just before tip-off.
The Pistons and the Magic are slated to do battle with a 7 pm tip-off tonight as Detroit continues to fight to extend their run in the postseason.
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