Giannis was the trade that changed Miami's offseason, and he's playing like it. He's averaging 28.4 points, 12.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists through his first 7 games. In the 115-109 win at Utah he scored 30 with 11 boards on 12-of-21 shooting, icing his sprained right wrist in a heavy wrap whenever he sat. Davion Mitchell added 19 and Larsson 14, and Thompson and Bam Adebayo made the late blocks that closed it out.
The matchup problem for Detroit is up front. Jalen Duren is out with a hamstring and won't be re-evaluated for another 2 weeks, which leaves a thinner frontcourt to deal with Giannis and Adebayo on the glass. Isaiah Joe is out with a hip injury too, so there's less shooting to give Cunningham room to work. The Pistons also signed Ugonna Onyenso to a two-way deal, and he's listed day-to-day. Expect Detroit to rely on Cunningham's playmaking more than its big men.
The schedule mostly favors Detroit. The Pistons played 58 minutes in the double-OT game in Washington, but they get a full day off before tipoff while Miami turns around off the Cleveland game. Miami took care of the ball at Utah, with 8 turnovers to the Jazz's 18. Detroit has scored 120 or more in 3 of its last 5, so that discipline will need to hold up against a better backcourt.
It comes down to 2 stars playing as well as anyone in the East right now, and to whether Miami still has its legs after Friday. Watch the Cleveland result, watch Giannis's wrist, and watch how many minutes Cunningham can handle without Duren behind him.
