As the only undefeated team in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons are hoping to keep their streak going against the New York Knicks. The reigning champions are winless through three games and are desperate to get on the W column. They will like their chances at Madison Square Garden against a Pistons team dealing with several injuries.
Knicks have the health advantage over the undefeated Pistons
New York will have the benefit of being fully healthy outside of backup point guard Jose Alvarado, who is dealing with an ankle sprain.
The Pistons are not as lucky. Jalen Duren will miss his second straight game with a hamstring strain. He is expected to be out for another two weeks.
Ausar Thompson and Isaiah Joe, however, will be game-time decisions. As of 2:00 pm EST, both players are listed as questionable on the injury report.
Thompson missed Sunday's clash against the Sixers after exiting the Heat game on Friday with an ankle sprain. He was questionable heading into the game in Philadelphia as well, before eventually being ruled out. While this suggests that his absence will not be an extended one, it could still leave the Pistons short-handed in the immediate term.
This could be a problem, especially if Joe ends up missing some time as well. Joe suffered a nasty fall in the first quarter in Philly while dunking the ball in transition. He was diagnosed with a hip contusion and should be considered day-to-day.
The Pistons could choose to be cautious with the two perimeter players, considering that they have another game on Wednesday, hosting the Charlotte Hornets. They may want to keep Thompson and Joe out of one leg of the back-to-back.
Daniss Jenkins will be the main beneficiary of these absences. He got the start on Sunday and played a team-high 38 minutes. Paul Reed will get the start in Duren's stead. The Pistons will continue to rely on those two while Thompson and Duren are out.
Off the bench, Ron Holland, Javonte Green, and Kevin Huerter could all see an extended run. But we know that JB Bickerstaff likes to deploy a deep rotation. This could mean that Ebuka Okorie and Tolu Smith could get opportunities.
Detroit's schedule eases up after the Knicks clash. They play the Hornets twice and the Nets in their next three games. Giving players further down the depth chart a look amid these injuries could benefit the Pistons in the long run.
The good thing is that this team has proven its ability to win games regardless of who is in and out of the rotation. That will be important as the Pistons attempt to push the reigning champs to the bottom of the East standings on Tuesday.
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