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What can Isaiah Stewart do for an encore? That’s the only question I have after braving an otherwise ugly showing by the Pistons against the Pacers in a 111-95 loss. The Pistons were down Jahlil Okafor after knee surgery and surprisingly without Mason Plumlee, who is dealing with elbow bursitis. That meant rookie Isaiah Stewart suddenly found himself starting at center against a team with two formidable big men in Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis. Stewart more than held his own.
The rookie played a season-high 31 minutes and scored 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting with seven rebounds, two steals and a block. Against the Celtics, he’ll have to guard even more in space, but he seems capable of that, and he has a great chance to deliver some highlights with his energy and defense.
Typically, the Pistons would sit Blake Griffin on the second night of a back-to-back, but with the roster having literally no big men behind Stewart, it will be interesting to see what Dwane Casey does. He could start Blake and Stewart at power forward and center, respectively. He could start Blake at center and bring Stewart off the bench. That seems unlikely. He could start Stewart and bring Blake off the bench to limit his minutes. That seems like the smartest play, but is also unlikely. It will be fascinating to see how this all plays out.
Game Vitals
When: 8 p.m. EST
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Mass.
Watch: Fox Sports Detroit
Projected lineups
Detroit Pistons (6-19)
Delon Wright, Wayne Ellington, Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart
Boston Celtics (13-11)
Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Semi Ojeleye, Daniel Theis
Pregame Reading
- “Oh, wow”: Semi Ojeleye capitalizes on the opportunity for a career night — CelticsBlog
- Detroit Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart was pressed into starting role, and he keeps on impressing — Detroit Free Press
- Center Mason Plumlee emerges as Pistons ‘glue guy’ — Detroit News
- Why Celtics rookie Payton Pritchard is the most important player you’ve never heard of on an NBA contender — ESPN