3 points: The comeback Clippers, a Knicks logjam and the lowly Pistons
The NBA In-Season Tournament is complete and Christmas is around the corner. That makes this a perfect time to check in with one surging tea...DECEMBER 19, 2023
DETROIT PISTONS 8-11 · 8TH IN EASTERN CONFERENCE
8-11 · 8TH IN EASTERN CONFERENCE
Marvin Bagley III - Goes for 17 points Monday Bagley recorded 17 points (7-12 FG, 3-4 FT) and one rebound across 23 minutes during Monday's 130-124 loss to the Hawks.
Impact The Pistons competed hard before ultimately suffering their 24th straight loss, and while Bagley, who was returning from straight games in which he didn't see the floor, struggled to leave his mark as a two-way presence, he posted solid scoring figures while replacing Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) in the starting lineup. Bagley also scored in double digits for the first time since Nov. 20, and while he can contribute as a scoring weapon when given enough time, his lack of an established role and his inconsistency limits his upside considerably. The fact that he's playing in one of the worst teams in the league in recent years doesn't help his case, either.
DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Bojan Bogdanovic - Excellent scoring display again Bogdanovic produced 25 points (9-17 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds and two assists across 39 minutes during Monday's 130-124 loss to the Hawks.
Impact Bogdanovic moved into the starting lineup in his second appearance returning from injury, and the coaching staff was right to bring him back into the first unit, as he has been a consistent scoring threat in an anemic Pistons offense. Bogdanovic has surpassed the 20-point mark in five of his eight outings in 2023-24.
DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Jaden Ivey - Playing well off bench Ivey closed with 15 points (6-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-5 FT), eight rebounds and four assists in 29 minutes before fouling out of Monday's 130-124 loss to the Hawks.
Impact Ivey had several chances to roll with the starters between mid-November and early December, but he has been playing well off the bench in recent games. That role shouldn't change going forward, but the nature of being a bench player could also limit his upside considerably. That hasn't been the case in recent weeks, however, as Ivey has scored in double digits in four of his last five contests.
DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Cade Cunningham - Explodes for career-high 43 points Cunningham racked up 43 points (16-24 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 8-9 FT), five rebounds, seven assists, one block and three steals across 44 minutes during Monday's 130-124 loss to Atlanta.
Impact Cunningham has struggled with efficiency and consistency this season, shooting just 42.2 percent from the field coming into Monday's contest. However, when he's on, the 2021 No. 1 overall pick can put up numbers that rival the best guards in the NBA. Despite the Pistons' struggles, Cunningham's return to form after missing most of last season due to a shin injury has been one of the team's few bright spots.
DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Jalen Duren - Still not practicing Coach Monty Williams said Monday that Duren (ankle) still isn't practicing, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Impact Duren has struggled to stay healthy this season, missing five straight contests while appearing in just 14 of Detroit's first 26 games. The Pistons announced Dec. 10 that Duren would be re-evaluated in two weeks, so another substantial update should be coming soon, though he'll presumably have to log a couple of full practices before he's cleared to suit up again. With Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) also banged up recently, Marvin Bagley and James Wiseman have garnered increased roles in Detroit's frontcourt.
DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Isaiah Stewart - Considered day-to-day Coach Monty Williams said Monday that Stewart (shoulder) is day-to-day, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Impact Stewart has missed back-to-back games, but it doesn't sound like his absence will be prolonged. His next chance to suit up will come Thursday versus Utah, but his official status for that contest won't be released until Wednesday afternoon. Stewart has started all 25 of his appearances this season, averaging 10.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, and his presence is even more important in the interim, given Jalen Duren (ankle) is slated to miss at least another week.
DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Trae Young stays hot with 31 points, 15 assists as Hawks hand Pistons 24th straight loss, 130-124
Trae Young extended his recent hot streak with another double-double, scoring 31 points with 15 assists, as the Hawks beat Detroit 130-124,...DECEMBER 19, 2023
Cade Cunningham Drops CAREER-HIGH 43 Points! 🔥 | December 18, 2023
DECEMBER 19, 2023 • YOUTUBE
PISTONS at HAWKS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | December 18, 2023
DECEMBER 19, 2023 • YOUTUBE
Jaden Ivey - Gets chance with first unit Ivey is starting Monday's game against the Hawks, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Impact Ivey will draw his first start since Dec. 2 due to the absence of Killian Hayes, who was ruled out earlier in the day due to illness. Ivey is averaging 11.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in his last five contests, but he's struggled to find his shooting touch during this stretch, knocking down 33.9 percent of his attempts from the field.
DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Killian Hayes - Ruled out Hayes (illness) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Hawks.
Impact Hayes will miss his first game since Nov. 19 and just his second this season. His absence should open up more playing time for Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser. Hayes' next chance to suit up will come Thursday versus Utah.
DECEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Killian Hayes - Questionable with illness Hayes is questionable for Monday's game versus the Hawks due to an illness.
Impact Hayes has been trending down in fantasy basketball, averaging just 3.5 points, 3.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 17.0 minutes over his last two games. If his illness forces him to miss Monday's game, we're likely to see more of Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser for Detroit.
DECEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Isaiah Stewart - Out for Monday Stewart (shoulder) will not play Monday against Atlanta.
Impact Stewart is set to miss his second consecutive game due to a left shoulder sprain. Stewart will have two full days of rest prior to Detroit taking the court again Thursday versus Utah. Ausar Thompson, Marvin Bagley and James Wiseman will absorb his workload, although more pressure could shift to Detroit's floor spacers such as Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic.
DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
James Wiseman - Continues strong play off bench Wiseman totaled 17 points (7-9 FG, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, five assists and one steal across 26 minutes during Saturday's 146-114 loss to the Bucks.
Impact Wiseman led all Pistons bench players in scoring, rebounds and assists while setting a season-high in assists and posting his third straight game with at least 10 points. Wiseman has reached the double-digit point total in five contests this year and has averaged 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists over his last three games.
DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Cade Cunningham - Top offensive contributor in loss Cunningham provided 25 points (10-17 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-6 FT), one rebound, six assists and one steal in 31 minutes during Saturday's 146-114 loss to the Bucks.
Impact Cunningham led all Pistons players in points and assists while finishing with at least 25 points in his 10th game this season. Cunningham has scored 20 or more points in seven of his last 10 outings, adding five or more assists in nine of those contests.
DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Marvin Bagley III - Top rebounder in starting lineup Bagley contributed 12 points (6-11 FG, 0-1 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal in 22 minutes during Saturday's 146-114 loss to the Bucks.
Impact Bagley entered the starting lineup in place of Isaiah Stewart (shoulder), leading all Pistons players in rebounds and blocks while finishing as one of six players with a double-digit point total in a losing effort. Bagley has tallied at least 10 points and seven rebounds in three games this season, posting his first such performance since last doing so Nov. 14 against Atlanta.
DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Detroit Pistons vs Milwaukee Bucks - Full Game Highlights | December 16, 2023 | 2023-24 NBA Season
DECEMBER 17, 2023 • YOUTUBE
PISTONS at BUCKS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | December 16, 2023
DECEMBER 17, 2023 • YOUTUBE
Bucks roll to 146-114 blowout as Pistons suffer their 23rd consecutive loss
Damian Lillard scored 33 points, Bobby Portis had a season-high 31 and the Milwaukee Bucks trounced Detroit 146-114 on Saturday to hand the Pistons their 23rd consecutive lossDECEMBER 17, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Marvin Bagley III - Gets starting nod Bagley is in the starting five for Saturday's game versus Milwaukee, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Impact Bagley will replace Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) in the starting lineup Saturday. Bagley is averaging 12.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks in 24.7 minutes across his previous seven starting appearances this season.
DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Isaiah Stewart - Added to injury report Stewart is listed as questionable for Saturday's game versus the Bucks due to a left shoulder sprain.
Impact Stewart is in danger of missing his first game of the season Saturday after being a late addition to the injury report. With Marvin Bagley (back) also questionable, James Wiseman could be in store for a heavy workload against Milwaukee.
DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Marvin Bagley III - Iffy against Milwaukee Bagley (back) is questionable for Saturday's game versus the Bucks.
Impact Bagley is in danger of missing his fourth straight game Saturday due to back spasms. If he's ruled out, James Wiseman and Isaiah Stewart should continue to receive the majority of Detroit's minutes in the frontcourt.
DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Marcus Sasser - Plays 17 minutes in loss Sasser racked up 11 points (4-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), two rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 17 minutes during Friday's 124-92 loss to the 76ers.
Impact Sasser has fallen out of the rotation of late, notching a DNP on Monday and averaging just five minutes over the past three contests in which he's played. However, with the Pistons getting blown out and on their way to a 22nd straight defeat Friday, the rookie point guard got a little more run and made the most of the opportunity with a perfect 4-for-4 performance from the field en route to his first double-digit scoring effort of December. Sasser has shown flashes of potential this season, but it's been hard for him to carve out a consistent role with Killian Hayes and Jaden Ivey ahead of him at point guard.
DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Bojan Bogdanovic - Paces starting unit with 17 points Bogdanovic closed Friday's 124-92 loss to the 76ers with 17 points (6-12 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes.
Impact Detroit lost its 22nd straight game Friday, and the starting unit was largely to blame, as no player other than Bogdanovic scored more than eight points. The veteran forward finished second on the team in scoring overall to James Wiseman, who posted a season-high 22 points. Bogdanovic has played well since returning Dec. 2 from a calf injury that caused him to miss the Pistons' first 19 games of the campaign, averaging 20.0 points, 2.7 dimes, 2.3 boards, 3.0 three-pointers and 1.5 steals over six games.
DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
