Pistons vs. Nets: Brook Lopez still sidelined for Brooklyn

The Detroit Pistons are getting bigger on Saturday, with power forward Greg Monroe returning from his two-game suspension. Their opponent, meanwhile, is staying the same size, with center Brook Lopez's expected return pushed back indefinitely.

Lopez, who's been battling a sprained right foot, was originally ruled out 10-14 days earlier this month — and as NetsDaily points out, Saturday will be 16 days. But after participating in non-contact drills earlier this week, Lopez was unable to practice Friday, prompting Nets head coach Lionel Hollins to rule him out. From Colin Stephenson reporting for Newsday:

"He just has pain," Hollins said. "He was having pain before and looked like he was going better, but now he can't. It's not my call of when he does practice or when he doesn't, so when they say he's not going today -- OK."

Also, there's this, which is a fun mental image:

Deron said Brook went to his party as a power ranger and didn't move from the arcade #Nets

— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) October 31, 2014

The Pistons went 3-1 against the Nets last season and hope to leverage their oversized frontcourt to more success this season. Without their starting center, the Nets dropped their season opener to the Boston Celtics, giving up 62 points in the paint.

The Pistons, of course, led the entire NBA with 51.9 points in the paint last season — and with Monroe back in the fold, should continue to do damage there this season. Without Monroe, they averaged just 39 in their first two games. From Newsday:

"It's gonna be a huge challenge," Joe Johnson said. "Detroit pretty much had their way with us last year, especially in the paint. So to give up 60-plus points against Boston in the paint -- against a team that didn't really post up -- it's going to be a tough game (Saturday)."

Now your thoughts.