After years of this being the “Cade Cunningham vs. Jalen Green” game, it’s now a game between two young teams hungry to advance past the first round of the playoffs. Both teams come into the game 0-1 and desperate to get into the win column.
Detroit’s offseason wasn’t loud, but demonstrated their belief in Cunningham as the focal point of a future contending team. They signed Duncan Robinson and almost-Rocket Caris LeVert in free agency. They brought back Paul Reed, too. They let Dennis Schroeder and Tim Hardaway walk, and the Malik Beasley situation forced them to pivot to Robinson. Interestingly, they also didn’t reach a rookie extension with Jalen Duren.
The Pistons will go as Cunningham goes, and against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night he went 8-24 from the field with 10 assists and seven rebounds. He also fouled out. Duren had 15/6, Ron Holland II had 19, and Isaiah Stewart had 20/10 off the bench. Tobias Harris was a quiet 4-12 from the field and Robinson went 1-7 from the field and missed all five of his three point attempts. Finally, Ausar Thompson did things we’re used to seeing from an A. Thompson around these parts: 11 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal and a block.
Dorian Finney-Smith: OUT (ankle)
Jae’Sean Tate: OUT (ankle)
The Line (as of this post)
Looking ahead because we can
Monday night at home against the Brooklyn Nets