Memphis Grizzlies vs Detroit Pistons: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

What: Memphis Grizzlies at Detroit Pistons

Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI

When: Tuesday, April 9th at 7:00 PM EST

How (TV): Fox Sports Detroit, Fox Sports Southeast – Memphis

Memphis Grizzlies (Away)

Head Coach: JB Bickerstaff {All-Time 84-130 | HOU, MEM}

Projected Starting Five: (G) Delon Wright – (G) Tyler Dorsey – (G) Justin Holiday – (F) Bruno Caboclo – (F) Ivan Rabb

The Memphis Grizzlies have little to play for at this point in the season. They are eliminated from the playoffs and own a record of 32-48, good enough for thirteenth in the Western conference.

The Grizzlies look toward development in the late stages of their season, as they hope to evaluate their young prospects going forward. The likes of Bruno Caboclo and Delon Wright have been great for them since their acquisition, but with a summer turnover looming, many players are likely to stake their claim.

The Grizzlies are shorthanded as they take on a desperate Detroit Pistons side. The Pistons are fighting for the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, and are sure to come at them with guns blazing to secure their place.

Detroit Pistons (Home)

Head Coach: Dwane Casey {All-Time 412-348 | MIN, TOR, DAL}

Projected Starting Five: (G) Reggie Jackson – (G) Wayne Ellington – (G) Bruce Brown – (F) Blake Griffin – (C) Andre Drummond

The Detroit Pistons are playing with fire in the Eastern Conference. Reigning coach of the year Dwane Casey has led his team to a four-game losing streak, allowing them to be overtaken by three teams in the standings and are now fighting for the last spot in the Eastern Conference’s post-season.

The Pistons last four-games have all been considered must-wins for them. Instead of succeeding, they followed a win over the Portland Trail Blazers with three-blowouts and a crucial loss to the competing Charlotte Hornets. The future isn’t bright for the Pistons, so taking care of the Grizzlies is imperative.

The Pistons have the odds in their favor when they face a depleted Memphis Grizzlies side. While they will be favored on talent alone, the Pistons have failed in their previous matches which inspires little confidence going forward.

What’s At Stake?

The Memphis Grizzlies and the Detroit Pistons maintain a competitive all-time series. In 45 regular season meetings, the Pistons lead the Grizzlies 25-20.

Regardless of the result, the Grizzlies would stay in thirteenth place in the Western Conference.

A win for the Pistons would keep them in eighth place and eliminate the Heat from the playoff race.

Questions to answer

Have the Grizzlies found their point guard of the future?

How can the Pistons support Blake Griffin?

We are going to compare the Memphis Grizzlies and the Detroit Pistons in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

Delon Wright Has Been Brilliant

The Memphis Grizzlies haven’t been competing for much for the past couple months. They are knocked out of the playoffs and they have so many injuries they are forced to use players near the end of their rotation. Delon Wright’s role as a player is still under analysis, but his comparisons as a starter and reserve are interesting.

As a starter:

33.5 MPG | 12.1 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 5.5 APG | 17.7% USG | 0.200 3P% | 112 ORtg | 110 DRtg

As a reserve:

17.7 MPG | 6.8 PPG | 2.4 RPG | 2.3 APG | 17.7% USG | 0.351 3P% | 111 ORtg | 107 DRtg

Delon Wright has shown flashes of true brilliance since joining the Grizzlies, including back-to-back triple-double performances. A 6’5 point guard who can shoot and defense from one to three is unique in across the league. The Grizzlies are still trying to find out if he can be Conley’s successor, but for now, he is a significant problem for teams opposing the Grizzlies.

The Pistons Need More From Their Supporting Cast

If the Pistons were nearer to the top of the Eastern Conference, Blake Griffin would likely be in consideration in the MVP race. Unfortunately, his stellar performances haven’t resulted in wins due to the up-and-down nature of his supporting cast.

Drummon aside, the Pistons are a mix of uncertain young players and defined veteran role players. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to put it all together. In their recent loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the Pistons defense was taken apart. Inconsistency is about as starter Reggie Jackson continues to struggle while Ish Smith is brilliant off the bench.

The Pistons need a more even effort going forward. Drummond, Griffin, and Ellington have been steady over their time but with two games remaining the Pistons beg for additional production of the bench. Age and experience aside, the Pistons need to win both of their next games so simply have a shot at the playoffs. All hands must be on deck.

Memphis Grizzlies Roster Notes

F Kyle Anderson – 27 Mar 2019 – Out For Season (Right Shoulder Soreness) – Kyle Anderson provided no timetable for return after being re-evaluated last week.

G Avery Bradley – 6 Apr 2019 – Out (Knee/Wrist) – Bradley has been ruled OUT for Sunday’s (Apr 7) game.

G-F Dillon Brooks – 17 Jan 2019 – Out For Season (Toe) – The Grizzlies announced that Brooks had surgery to repair a ruptured ligament in his right big toe. He will miss the rest of the 2018-2019 season but is expected to be ready for training camp for the 2019-2020 season.

G Mike Conley – 7 Apr 2019 – Out (Ankle) – Conley is listed as out for Sunday’s (Apr 7) game.

F-C Jaren Jackson – 23 Feb 2019 – Out For Season (Right Quad Soreness) – The Grizzlies announced that Jackson Jr. is dealing with a deep thigh bruise and is out indefinitely.

F CJ Miles – 19 Mar 2019 – Out (Foot) – Miles is expected to miss the rest of the season.

C Joakim Noah – 7 Apr 2019 – Out (Knee) – Noah is listed as out for Sunday’s (Apr 7) game.

C Jonas Valanciunas – 1 Apr 2019 – Out For Season (Right Ankle) – The Grizzlies announced Valanciunas will miss the remainder of the season.

Detroit Pistons Roster Notes

F Blake Griffin – 6 Apr 2019 – Day To Day (Knee) – Griffin is listed as probable for Sunday’s (Apr 7) game.

G Luke Kennard – 6 Apr 2019 – Day To Day (Foot) – Kennard is listed as probable for Sunday’s (Apr 7) game.

G-F Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk – 6 Apr 2019 – Out (Left Index Finger Fracture) – Mykhailiuk has been ruled OUT for Sunday’s (Apr 7) game.

Head-to-Head: Bruno Caboclo (MEM) vs Blake Griffin (DET)

The matchup to watch is in the frontcourt. Blake Griffin needs to help his Pistons pick up the pieces if they hope to make the post-season. On the other side, Bruno Caboclo has been an enigma for the Grizzlies but has turned in impressive showings since March that are sure to concern the Pistons.

Blake Griffin

Power Forward | 6-10, 250lb (208cm, 113kg) | Oklahoma | Exp. 8 Years

24.8 PPG | 5.4 APG | 7.6 RPG | 0.7 SPG | 0.4 BPG | 3.4 TOV | .462 FG% | .362 3P%

Griffin missed two of the Pistons four straight losses due to injury. He returned to a tremendous 45 point effort against the Thunder, followed by a 5-18 shooting night against the Hornets. Both matches were losses. Griffin’s play is essential to the success of the Pistons going forward, but he will need to get his teammates’ easy looks if they want to win. His individual effort clearly isn’t enough.

Bruno Caboclo

Small Forward | 6-9, 218lb (206cm, 98kg) | Brazil | Exp. 4 Years

7.7 PPG | 1.4 APG | 3.4 RPG | 0.4 SPG | 1.0 BPG | 1.1 TOV | .414 FG% | .364 3P%

Bruno Caboclo was certainly a project for the Grizzlies when he first arrived but he has shown some individual brilliance since the beginning of March. He is coming off of a 13 point, 17 rebounds, and four assist game in a two-point loss against the Dallas Mavericks. While his shooting comes and goes, Caboclo has shown to provide significant problems as a defender due to his fantastic length and athleticism. While Griffin is savvy, expect Caboclo to win some individual battles due to physicality alone.

Memphis Grizzlies at Detroit Pistons Predictions and Odds

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