Pistons vs. Clippers preview: An early reunion for Blake Griffin

It’s like one of those amicable break ups. There’s not really any hard feelings on either side. It was time to move on. You’re both in new relationships. Things are good.

But. You still want to win the break up.

The Pistons are 5-0 since the blockbuster trade of the deadline was announced, sending Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, and a first round pick to the Clippers in return for Blake Griffin, Willie Reed, and Brice Johnson. The Clippers have also won both of their games since the former Pistons have joined.

Boban in particular seems to be fitting right in.

How do you play 0:00 but it’s not a DNP? At this point, the league’s coaches are just trolling Ben Gulker.

Of course, for the Pistons’ part, the addition of Griffin has been transformative for a team that previously looked dead in the water. Brice Johnson and Reed didn’t last long enough in a Pistons uniform to meet up with their previous teams, being moved in deals for Jameer Nelson and James Ennis yesterday.

Game Vitals

When: Friday, February 9 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Watch: ESPN (LP blackout alert), Fox Sports Detroit

Projected Lineups

Pistons (27-26)
Ish Smith, Reggie Bullock, Stanley Johnson, Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond

Clippers (27-25)
Milos Teodosic, Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, Danilo Gallinari, DeAndre Jordan

*Teodosic is questionable with a sore foot

Prediction

The Clippers are plagued with injuries at point guard with all of Patrick Beverley, Austin Rivers, Jawun Evans, and Milos Teodosic ailing. They may be down to just one point guard, rookie Tyrone Wallace, who was taken with the last pick in the 2016 draft but waived before the start of the season. Still, the rest of their roster is pretty solid - it’s likely to be a close one.

Pistons 104, Clippers 100