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Pistons Battle Spurs: Short-Handed Detroit Eyes Another Win
The Detroit Pistons are coming off an impressive win without their star player Cade Cunningham, and they aim to keep the momentum going as they host the surging San Antonio Spurs. With injuries hitting both squads, it’s a battle of depth and determination as the regular season winds down.
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Pistons Rally Without Star Power
The Detroit Pistons (40-32) showcased resilience by securing a 136-130 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans despite missing All-Star Cade Cunningham, who was sidelined due to calf soreness. Another starter, Tim Hardaway Jr., also sat out with a sprained ankle. Yet, the Pistons found a way to get it done, thanks to some unexpected heroes off the bench.
Rookie Ron Holland, the fifth overall pick in last year’s draft, stepped up in a big way, scoring a career-high 26 points while adding six assists and five rebounds. His performance was a testament to his adaptability and his willingness to do whatever it takes to win.
“When you come to the league, you go to a team that’s full of lottery picks and adding veterans — typically you’re going to have to find a niche off the ball,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Ron just has an understanding of how to impact winning. He’s a fierce competitor, but he just doesn’t care what the play is.”
Bench Depth Proves Vital
Besides Holland, Marcus Sasser played a significant role, dropping 20 points while capitalizing on increased minutes due to Cunningham’s absence. Dennis Schroder, stepping into the starting lineup, contributed 16 points and five assists.
Coach Bickerstaff praised Sasser’s professionalism:
“Marcus has been through a lot with us. He’s had opportunities, and there have been times where he hasn’t played, but he always stays ready. Every time he plays, he puts himself in a position to help his team win basketball games.”
For more on how injuries are impacting playoff races, visit the NBA Injury Report.
Spurs Surging Despite Injuries
The San Antonio Spurs (31-39) are fighting to keep their play-in hopes alive despite losing key players like Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox to season-ending injuries. Remarkably, they have managed to string together three straight wins, including a dominant 123-89 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
The Spurs jumped out to an early lead, going up by 20 points after the first quarter and never looking back. Interim head coach Mitch Johnson was thrilled with his team’s cohesion:
“It was the most connected we’ve been, the most communication we’ve heard from the bench. Just guys navigating actions, screens, and things happening on the court. It has to take those five guys on the court to figure things out, and they did a tremendous job.”
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Devin Vassell Leading the Charge
One player who has truly stepped up for San Antonio is Devin Vassell, who scored an efficient 25 points on 11-of-14 shooting against Toronto. His March averages of 19.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists have fueled the Spurs’ unexpected push.
Coach Johnson acknowledged Vassell’s resurgence:
“It’s funny, we went through that midseason stretch where there were a lot of alarms and concerns that maybe he had lost his powers, and now he’s making shot after shot. But he’s also impacting winning with defense, rebounding, and hustle plays.”
For more insights on San Antonio’s playoff chances and predictions, visit the NBA Playoff Odds.
Key Matchup: Pistons’ Bench vs. Spurs’ Cohesion
The Pistons will once again be relying on their bench to carry the load, particularly if Cunningham and Hardaway Jr. remain out. Ron Holland and Marcus Sasser will be key contributors, but they’ll need to replicate their previous performance to match San Antonio’s energy.
The Spurs, meanwhile, will count on Vassell to keep up his efficient scoring while maintaining their defensive intensity. If San Antonio’s bench can match Detroit’s depth, the Spurs could stretch their winning streak to four games.
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What to Watch For
- Can Ron Holland maintain his hot streak and lead the Pistons’ bench unit?
- Will Devin Vassell continue his scoring surge and guide the Spurs to another victory?
- How will the Pistons’ defense handle San Antonio’s balanced attack?
- Will Cade Cunningham and Tim Hardaway Jr. be available for the game?
For more NBA division updates and predictions, check out the NBA Central Division Odds.
FAQs
What is the status of Cade Cunningham for the next game? Cunningham is dealing with calf soreness and is listed as questionable for the game against the Spurs.
How has Ron Holland performed recently? Holland recorded a career-high 26 points against the Pelicans, along with six assists and five rebounds, showcasing his all-around impact.
What is driving the Spurs’ recent success? The Spurs have improved their communication and teamwork despite missing key players, with Devin Vassell leading the charge on offense.
Who is expected to fill in for Tim Hardaway Jr.? Marcus Sasser and Dennis Schroder are expected to share the backcourt duties if Hardaway remains sidelined.
What are the Spurs’ chances of making the play-in tournament? San Antonio still has a fighting chance, but they need to continue their winning streak to stay in contention.
What adjustments should the Pistons make to secure a win? The Pistons should focus on maintaining defensive pressure and capitalizing on fast breaks to keep the Spurs off balance.
The Pistons are pushing forward despite being short-handed, while the Spurs are showing resilience in their fight for a play-in spot. Can Detroit continue their winning ways, or will San Antonio extend their streak? Stay tuned for an exciting matchup between two determined squads!
For more updates and analysis, visit the NBA Scores and Odds.
