DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons lost their first go around with the Los Angeles Clippers this season when Kawhi Leonard went off for 55 points.
The Pistons will try and improve upon their losing effort last month when the Clippers visit Detroit Saturday night, but they’ll do so without their top three scorers and their defensive anchor.
Guard Cade Cunningham (wrist), center Jalen Duren (ankle) and forward Tobias Harris (hip) are all out for another game with various injuries, but the latest Piston to miss a game will be big man Isaiah Stewart, who is out due to illness.
Stewart, the reigning Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month, has been integral to the Pistons’ success this season as a starter and off the bench. He came up big Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls with a career-high 31 points.
In the 11 games Stewart has started this season, the Pistons are 10-1. For the season, Stewart is averaging 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. He’s also served as one of the best, if not the best, rim protectors in the NBA with a defended field goal percentage of 43.7% inside six feet.
Without Stewart, Duren and Harris, the front court is going to be paper thin and lacking a lot of experience.
Paul Reed should draw his fourth straight start, but the Pistons will surely need to rely on younger players like two-way big Tolu Smith, Bobi Klintman and Isaac Jones — who have spent most of the season with the Pistons’ G League affiliate.
With the Clippers posting a quality scoring big in Ivica Zubac, the biggest challenge may be trying to make up for Stewart’s defensive presence in the paint. The 7-footer didn’t play in the Dec. 28 game against the Pistons in Los Angeles.
The good news for the Pistons is that after Saturday night’s game, they have four days before their next matchup. It’ll be a crucial time to try and get the roster healthy again and keep their spot atop the Eastern Conference.