Detroit and Cleveland tangle in first game after All-Star break
Aug 13th, 2022 at 18:55 Automobiles Chandīgarh 47 views
The Cleveland Cavaliers are finally back. And this time, theyre back without LeBron James at the helm. The Detroit Pistons are chasing what the Cavaliers have achieved, success with a young core that has lead to not moral wins, but tangible wins in the standings. Cleveland rebuilt the right way. They finally got it right. They drafted well, made savvy trades and now appear primed to be a nuisance in the playoffs. They are what we all hope the Pistons can be in 2-3 years. Game VitalsWhen: 7 p. m. ETWhere: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MichiganWatch: Bally Sports DetroitOdds: Pistons +6AnalysisThe Pistons return from the All-Star break revitalized, in some ways. Cade Cunningham put on a show in Cleveland over the weekend, winning Rising Stars MVP honors while putting together a respectable showing on All-Star Saturday. The same can be said about Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart in the Rising Stars game Nerlens Noel Jersey. Its hard to call it momentum, but it kind of feels like momentum. Good things do not, and have not, happened to this franchise much in recent years. However, they just beat the red-hot Boston Celtics to end the first half and their centerpieces had a big weekend in the All-Star festivities. Now, theyll try and keep it going against a Cavs team that they just beat a month ago. This will be a much thinner version of that team as star guard Darius Garland as well as Lauri Markkanen and Caris LaVert are out with injuries tonight. Cleveland still boasts their twin towers of Evan Mobley and Jarret Allen as well as Kevin Love off the bench. Now, youd think that size would give the Pistons problems, since it seems like all size does, but Stewart has handled that trio well in two matchups this season. Im interested to see if Kelly Olynyk coming off his best game in weeks against Boston can keep it rolling against a team with waves of size. Ill be watching Marvin Bagley III closely in his third game with Detroit, specifically in those bench-on-bench stretches where he can get matched up with Love. Thats an area the Pistons can, and should, attack. Cunningham didnt shoot it well last month agains the Cavs, hitting just 6 of his 21 shots, but he did finish with his second triple-double of the season. Hell again have to deal with Isaac Okoro, but I think hell shoot the ball better. Buttt, what Im most interested in seeing tonight is what Killian Hayes can do now, and over the rest of the season. The Cavs arent great against point guards normally, and the likely duo of Rajon Rondo and Brandon Goodwin wont scare anyone. However, Killians inconsistency and inability to stay out of foul trouble have been maddening lately. After looking so good with 11 points and 12 assist on 5-of-9 shooting in an ass kicking against Charlotte Hornets, he followed it up with just 4 points and 5 assists in his final two games before the break. Cory Joseph wasnt even been good in those games: Hayes was just that bad. I dont know the issue Hamidou Diallo Jersey. I don't know the solution. Honestly, its the most annoying thing about this team right now. Its annoying to hear people who want to cut bait on him now when he has no value. Its annoying to hear people load up on excuses, essentially saying that nothing is his fault, that hes a victim of Dwane Casey.. or Troy Weaver.. or the refs. Rodney McGruder Jersey. or his teammates. I dont know, it changes every game. I cant keep up. I just want to see Killian show something. Anything. Find consistency. Adapt to a role. Do your job well on a day to day basis. Thats my main critique he has not been able to adapt to playing without the ball in his hands. Thats gotta change, and it starts tonight.