Detroit has reason to be confident despite its lack of experience relative to the playoff-tested Cavaliers.
Advertisement
The Pistons were without starting point guard Reggie Jackson, who missed the game due to an abdominal strain.
“I hope he can keep it up”, Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said.
The Pistons pulled within 93-89 on Marcus Morris three-pointer before Johnson delivered the three-point dagger for a 96-89 lead with 46.5 seconds to play.
LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and J.R. Smith will all sit this one out after helping Cleveland (57-24) clinch the East’s No. 1 seed with Monday’s 109-94 win over Atlanta. Plenty of seats were empty. With nothing to play for in terms of playoff positioning, both squads will likely rest most of their regulars before they meet again this weekend in Cleveland for the opener of their best-of-seven series.
With 81 games down and one to go, the Pistons finally know their playoff fate, their seeding, and their opponent. “They’re supposed to be the title contenders in the East. If we’re not favored anyway, you might as well get your crack at them, right?” “I want to fight Goliath”. That’s for sure. We’re not beating Cleveland with that kind of offensive performance. “So hopefully we’ll be a lot better”. He also signed to two 10-day contracts with the Suns earlier this season and averaged 2.5 points and 1.4 assists and 7.6 minutes in eight games. Johnson scored 15 in the fourth. He’s facing an injury-riddled Memphis team that is undersized up front, and is bargain priced tonight after putting up 17 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals on Sunday against Dallas. Wade is averaging over two points less per game since past year, and is shooting a career low 16.7 percent from three. “You feel good, you feel like you can get through whatever you’re dealing with and you’re going to be good”. “He hit a lot of tough shots”. He finished us off. For most of the night, our problem was our offense.
F Luol Deng contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Heat beat the Pistons on Tuesday.
A pro basketball player made a between the legs, over the back trick shot from three.
Targeting Philadelphia’s frontcourt is always a sound strategy and Valanciunas has been very solid down the stretch, particularly against exploitable defenses. “We weren’t able to do it”.
Drummond and Whiteside are similar players.
Advertisement
– A second-period blow to the face that went uncalled left Dragic with one fewer tooth. Wade has appeared in 72 games this season, his most since 2010-2011, but his numbers have dipped since last season. Watch out for C Andre Drummond; when he plays well, the team usually has a great chance of winning.
