As if it wasn't bad enough with the Pistons being run off the floor in Boston last night, that floor added injury to insult when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope slipped and suffered a strained groin.
That means rookie Stanley Johnson will get the second start of his career today when the Pistons host the Knicks. Johnson has been playing some of the best ball of his young career as of late, and the Pistons will need him to keep that going. With last night's loss, Detroit drops to 26-24 and 8th place in a tightly contested Eastern Conference.
Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit, MI
Watch: TNT
Analysis
You never know what you're going to get with the Pistons this season. At times, they look like world beaters. Other times, they come out flat like they did last night, falling behind by as many as 24 points against the Celtics.
It's been a rough stretch for Detroit, losing three of their past four. Just 2.5 games separate the 3rd seed and 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, so every hot or cold streak makes a big difference in the standings.
The Knicks can testify to that. Just two weeks ago, the Knicks were one of the many teams looking to make a move in the conference, sitting at 22-22. But after losing six of their past seven, they've got some work to do to get back to relevance.
An absent offense has driven their slump, thanks in a large part to Carmelo Anthony. He's shot just 35 percent from the field and 26 percent from 3-point range over the seven-game stretch. He'd be even more putrid if not for drawing 7.5 fouls per game in that time.
Marcus Morris defended Anthony tough when the teams last met on Dec. 29. Morris did a particularly nice job of avoiding fouling, with Anthony not earning a single trip to the line.
Players to Watch
Pistons: Stanley Johnson
Who else could it be? Over his past dozen games, Johnson is averaging 11.4 points per game on 55 percent true shooting, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. They're not the most exciting numbers in the world, but great progress for the 19-year-old rookie.
It's been a luxury to get the production off the bench, but his team will need to be able to count on more steadiness out of Johnson as he enters the starting lineup. Especially considering the next man up for the backup minutes will be another rookie, Darrun Hilliard - who has also been offering improved play after a shaky start. Over the past seven games, Hilliard has a shooting percentage line of 62/40/67.
Knicks: Point guards
The Knicks have gotten mostly miserable production from their backcourt this season, especially at point. But last time the teams met, Jose Calderon and Langston Galloway were nearly perfect from the field to help lead the Knicks to their 108-96 win. Pistons guards were particularly guilty of letting Calderon sneak open from three. They don't need to give the Knicks any help like that tonight.
Starting Lineups
Pistons: Reggie Jackson, Johnson, Morris, Ersan Ilyasova, Andre Drummond
Knicks: Galloway, Arron Afflalo, Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, Robin Lopez