Last Updated on November 18, 2016 1:59 pm by Brad Burns
Detroit’s low-post failings proving costly
Despite center Andre Drummond’s best efforts, the Pistons aren’t exactly cleaning up the glass right now. Can they shore up things in time for tonight’s bout vs. Cleveland?
The two teams will meet in a rematch of last year’s spirited first-round series, with a 7:30 p.m. ET tip at Quicken Loans Arena. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives LeBron James & Co. odds of -450 to reign supreme. Detroit, on the other hand, represents a +375 underdog.
Stan Van Gundy’s group once again got destroyed down low during Wednesday’s 105-102 loss to the Knicks. The Pistons were outrebounded 52-40. In addition, New York had 19 offensive boards and 15 second-chance points.
Similar meekness along the interior would spell certain doom against the Cavaliers. Fresh off a 103-93 defeat at the hands of Indiana, the defending champs fully expect to improve to 7-1 at home. James should be fresh, too, having missed the previous contest to rest.
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The primary difference here is that Drummond, the league’s second-leading rebounder, gets little real help in the paint. On the flip side, Tyronn Lue regularly deploys the likes of Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. Detroit’s 1-6 record away from The Palace of Auburn Hills also provides a good indication of how the evening should unfold.
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