The Clippers take on the lottery-bound yet frisky Pistons on the road in Detroit. Keep reading for a full preview of the Clippers’ game against the Pistons.
Game Information
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
When: 12:00 PM PT
How to Watch: Bally Sports SoCal
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: Reggie Jackson – Amir Coffey – Nicolas Batum – Marcus Morris – Ivica Zubac
Pistons: Cory Joseph – Cade Cunningham – Saddiq Bey – Jerami Grant – Marvin Bagley III
Injuries
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard Out (Knee), Paul George Out (Elbow), Robert Covington Out (Personal), Jason Preston Out (Foot), Jay Scrubb Out (Foot)
Pistons: Rodney McGruder Doubtful (Hamstring), Hamidou Diallo Out (Finger), Killian Hayes Questionable (Adductor), Frank Jackson Out (Back), Isaiah Stewart Out (Knee)
The Big Picture
The Clippers’ loss and Lakers’ win brought the other LA team to just three losses and 4.5 games back of the Clips. The Lakers do have a very difficult stretch of games, making a late push somewhat unlikely, but LeBron James is playing incredible basketball and Anthony Davis might return soon. The Clippers need to win the few easy games they have left, since much of their remaining schedule is absolutely brutal. Keeping in the 8th seed and having to win only one play-in game to make the playoffs instead of two is massive, especially if the Clippers are trying their stars back in and need some margin of error. The other key is to keep the rest of their roster healthy, which preferably means not playing Reggie Jackson 40 minutes per game.
The Antagonist
The Pistons have the third-worst record in the NBA at 18-49, but are actually 6-4 in their last 10 games, and were frisky against the Celtics on Friday before growing frigid in the 4th quarter. Dwane Casey has the Pistons playing hard, and they do have talent, particularly rookie wunderkind Cade Cunningham, Jerami Grant, and Saddiq Bey. None of the three shoot a particularly high percentage from three, but all take over five attempts per game, and when they get hot, that can lead to bucket loads of points in a short period. However, even when the Pistons do get their offense going, they’re a poor defensive team with lots of young guys and zero rim protection. Ivica Zubac should feast against Marvin Bagley, Kelly Olynyk, and Luka Garza, and the Clippers’ perimeter guys can attack the basket with ease. Still, the Clippers can’t take the Pistons lightly.
Notes
Marcus, Luke, and Reggie Revenge Games: The Clippers’ three main offensive weapons on the current roster all played with the Pistons for an extended period, making it an interesting “revenge game” scenario. Luke should probably be warmly welcomed, Reggie will probably see a mix of cheers and boos, and Marcus’ Pistons stint was long enough ago there might not be much of a reaction at all. Still, players almost always have a little extra “dip on their chip” against their former teams, and certainly Reggie and Marcus seem like the kind of players to have that mindset. Let’s see how the former Pistons do in Detroit.
Feeding Zu: As mentioned above, the Clippers’ biggest matchup advantage on offense might be Ivica Zubac against Marvin Bagley. Bagley is talented, but Zu has a height, weight, and strength advantage against the former number 2 pick, and the Clippers should try to get him going early and often. Zu doesn’t have a vast move arsenal, but his hook shot and little flips are effective, and he can get those off at any time against Bagley (or Olynyk). Zu has had some massive games this season, including Friday night against the Hawks, and could be due for another one against the Pistons.
That about does it for this preview of the Clippers’ game against the Pistons. Leave your comments below!
