At 17-27, the Detroit Pistons find themselves only four games behind the Boston Celtics for 8th place in the Eastern Conference. With Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo suffering a season-ending ACL injury on Sunday, the Pistons’ goal to make the playoffs suddenly doesn’t seem so unrealistic.
Standing in Detroit’s way on Tuesday night is central division rival Milwaukee (23-19). The Bucks are led by guards Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, averaging 18.8 and 18.6 points per game respectively. Veteran forward Mike Dunleavy averages 11 points and four rebounds off the bench, and center Larry Sanders averages over three blocks per contest, good for best in the NBA.
After starting 7-21, the Pistons have won 10 of their last 16 games, including a 104-102 shootout in Orlando on Sunday. Brandon Knight recorded a career-high 31 points, and Will Bynum a season-high 12 assists.
Reserve point guard Rodney Stuckey returns for the Pistons after being inactive for Sunday’s win at Orlando. Stuckey indicated the reason for his deactivation was because of an argument with head coach Lawrence Frank.
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