Impact We'll have a better idea on Ivey's status for Friday's game based on his activity level at shootaround, but if he is able to return from a one-game absence, Chimezie Metu would likely head back to the second unit.
MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE
DETROIT PISTONS 7-11 · 8TH IN EASTERN CONFERENCE
7-11 · 8TH IN EASTERN CONFERENCE
Jaden Ivey - Questionable for Friday Ivey (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Wizards.
Simone Fontecchio - Won't play Friday Fontecchio (toe) will remain on the sidelines for Friday's game against the Wizards.
Impact Friday will mark Fontecchio's seventh straight game on the inactive list, and considering there haven't been any reports of him practicing and he continues to get ruled out 24 hours in advance of tip-off, it's safe to assume he's still not close. He belongs on the waiver wire in re-draft formats.
MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE
Chimezie Metu - Decent in spot start Metu totaled eight points (3-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals over 32 minutes during Wednesday's 106-91 loss to the Timberwolves.
Impact Metu looked rough around the edges in the early stages of the game, and while he settled down as the game progressed, he wasn't much of a scoring threat. His contributions in peripheral categories were decent enough to salvage his fantasy output, but it would be surprising if Metu remains in the starting lineup when the Pistons take on the Wizards on Friday.
MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE
Jalen Duren - Posts double-double in return Duren accumulated 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds and four assists over 25 minutes during Wednesday's 106-91 loss to the Timberwolves.
Impact Duren returned to the starting lineup following a three-game absence, and the big man delivered another solid outing on both ends of the court, as has been the case throughout the season when he's been active. Duren has racked up 40 double-doubles across 55 games this season, a figure that ranks ninth in The Association this season.
MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE
Cade Cunningham - Goes for 32 points in loss Cunningham notched 32 points (11-23 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 7-8 FT), one rebound, two assists and one steal in 29 minutes during Wednesday's 106-91 loss to the Timberwolves.
Impact Cunningham scored more than one-third of the Pistons' total point haul in this 15-point loss to Minnesota, and the star floor general took a score-first approach in this one, as evidenced by the fact he only delivered two assists. Playing alongside Marcus Sasser in the backcourt might have led to that, but either way, expect Cunningham to continue producing as long as he remains available for an already-eliminated Detroit with roughly two weeks left in the regular season.
MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE
Jalen Duren - Claims double-double in return Duren (back) tallied 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds and four assists across 25 minutes Wednesday in the Pistons' 106-91 loss to the Timberwolves.
Impact Duren had missed the Pistons' previous three games with back spasms, but he reclaimed his spot in the starting five and came away with his 40th double-double of the season. He handled a near-even split of the playing time at center with James Wiseman, who logged 23 minutes in the loss. Head coach Monty Williams could opt to keep a rough timeshare between the two in place over the remaining weeks of the season in an effort to preserve Duren's minutes while also continuing to reward Wiseman for his improved play since the All-Star break.
MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE
Detroit faces Washington, looks to break 8-game slide
Detroit looks to stop its eight-game slide with a win against WashingtonMARCH 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Timberwolves pull away from Pistons with big run Naz Reid had 21 points and 10 rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves used a late third-quarter run to take control in a 106-91 victory over...
MARCH 28 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
James Wiseman - Back to bench Wiseman isn't in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Timberwolves.
Impact Jalen Duren will replace Wiseman in the starting five Wednesday after missing time with a back injury. Wiseman is averaging 7.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 blocks in 18.2 minutes across his last five appearances coming off the bench.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE
Chimezie Metu - Starting vs. Minnesota Metu is in the starting lineup to face the Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Impact Metu has been playing off the bench most of the season, but he'll get another chance to start here and will pair with James Wiseman in the frontcourt. Metu is averaging 11.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game across six starts this season.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE
Troy Brown Jr. - Back to bench Brown will return to a reserve role in Wednesday's tilt against the Timberwovles.
Impact Brown has started the previous three games for the Pistons. but the team will opt to go with a bigger frontcourt Wednesday by inserting Chimezie Metu in the starting unit. Brown is averaging 3.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists across 10.0 minutes in 43 games off the bench this year.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE
Jaden Ivey - Out Wednesday Ivey (knee) will not play in Wednesday's matchup with the Timberwolves.
Impact Ivey was a late addition to the Pistons' injury report and they will ultimately err on the side of caution. In his absence, Marcus Sasser will replace him in the starting lineup at shooting guard. Ivey's next chance to suit up will come Friday versus the Wizards.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE
Cade Cunningham - Available to play Wednesday Cunningham (knee) is available for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves.
Impact Cunningham is back in action following a two-game stint on the sidelines, which will likely result in fewer minutes for Malachi Flynn. There's been no word on any minutes restrictions for Cade, so he's safe to activate in all formats.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE
Marcus Sasser - Playing, starting Wednesday Sasser (illness) will play and start at shooting guard in Wednesday's game versus the Timberwolves.
Impact No surprise here, as Sasser was given a probable designation heading into the evening. Barring any setbacks, he should not be limited in terms of minutes while replacing Jaden Ivey (knee) in the starting lineup.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE
Jaden Ivey - Questionable for Wednesday Ivey is questionable for Wednesday's game against Minnesota due to left knee soreness.
Impact Ivey wasn't on the Pistons' initial injury report, but he's dealing with a knee issue in the hours leading up to tipoff. Quentin Grimes (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup, so Marcus Sasser (illness), Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn and Troy Brown are candidates to see increased playing time if Ivey is sidelined.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE
Marcus Sasser - Probable with illness Sasser is probable for Wednesday's game against Minnesota due to illness.
Impact Despite being under the weather, Sasser is expected to suit up Wednesday. That's good news for a Detroit team that could be shorthanded with Cade Cunningham (knee) and Jaden Ivey (knee) both considered questionable.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE
Jalen Duren - Available to play Duren (back) is available to play Wednesday against Minnesota.
Impact Duren was previously considered probable after missing the past three games for Detroit, but he's all set for a return. Whether or not he has restrictions remains to be seen. James Wiseman's streaming appeal takes a big hit with this news.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE
Detroit Pistons at Minnesota Timberwolves odds, picks and predictions The Detroit Pistons (12-60) visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (49-22) on Wednesday. Tip from Target Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Let's...
MARCH 27 • AZCENTRAL.COM
Timberwolves-Pistons preview: Stats, injury report and analysis Detroit has the NBA's worst record at 12-60 and has lost its last seven games, making Wednesday's matchup one Minnesota should win.
MARCH 27 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Taj Gibson - Another absence coming Gibson (hamstring) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Timberwolves.
Impact Gibson will miss his fifth straight game Wednesday while dealing with a right hamstring strain. However, his absence won't affect Detroit's rotation.
MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE
Quentin Grimes - Ruled out for Wednesday Grimes (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Minnesota.
Impact Grimes will miss an eighth consecutive game due to a right knee contusion. Grimes and Simone Fontecchio (toe) being unavailable once again leaves Detroit without much floor spacing, especially with Cade Cuningham (knee/rest) listed as questionable amid a multi-game absence. Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser will likely continue anchoring the short-handed backcourt.
MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE
Simone Fontecchio - Absence to continue Wednesday Fontecchio (toe) will be unavailable for Wednesday's game against Minnesota.
Impact Fontecchio has not taken the court since March 17 while dealing with a bruised toe, and he will remain sidelined Wednesday. Detroit's wing rotation has been gashed, with Quentin Grimes (knee) also set to be unavailable. Troy Brown and Tosan Evbuomwan will likely retain 20-30 minutes roles Wednesday.
MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE
Jalen Duren - Considered probable Wednesday Duren (back) is probable for Wednesday's game against Minnesota
Impact Duren appears on track to return for three-game absence due to back spasms. If he's able to return, James Wiseman would likely revert to a 15-20 minute role off the bench, although the status of offensive engine Cade Cunningham (knee/rest) is important to monitor as well.
MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE
Cade Cunningham - Questionable for Wednesday Cunningham (knee/rest) is questionable for Wednesday's game against Minnesota.
Impact Cunningham is at risk of missing his third consecutive game due to injury management of his left knee. Marcus Sasser, Jaden Ivey and Troy Brown have anchored the starting lineup in his stead, while Malachi Flynn has been leaned on for a 25-30 minute role.
MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE
Malachi Flynn - Stuffs stat sheet Monday Flynn finished with 14 points (5-12 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals over 30 minutes during Monday's 124-99 loss to New York.
Impact Flynn posted a solid stat line off the bench in a game where the Pistons looked overmatched. He has the talent to score at will on any given game, but Flynn is not going to have a lot of upside if he continues to play off the bench for a team that's already out of playoff contention.
MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE
