NBA Matchups: February 27

CLE @ DET | BKN @ BOS | NYK @ MIL | MEM @ DAL | DEN @ OKC

Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons

Team Totals: Cavs 110.5, Pistons 117

Injury Report: Keon Ellis (Q, finger), James Harden (Q, thumb), Dennis Schroder (Q, ankle), Dean Wade (Q, ankle), Isaiah Stewart (O, suspension)

Cavs projected starters: James Harden, Sam Merrill, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Pistons projected starters: Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Atkinson quotes: Said he’s happy with how they handle the late-game stuff, said they couldn’t get stops against the Bucks and “we couldn’t find a way to get a stop,” said “I’m just disappointed in the way we defended,” said he’s always thought that Schroder is a starting PG in this league and “we’re covered” if Harden misses time, said Schroder’s ankle might be OK.

Bickerstaff quotes: Said their guys found a way through ups and downs, said Duren “is impossible to guard” down low, said Ausar “is a huge part of what we do” and they don’t worry about him having bad games, said he has to find a way to balance Huerter to get minutes.

Stats and Notes: 

*The Cavs won’t have Donovan Mitchell for this one, and they may not have James Harden, either. Harden had a huge wrap on his hand last game, and he could definitely sit this one out despite how Shams Charania reports that he will play through it. If Harden can’t play, their defense should be even better, and getting Evan Mobley back should put a lot of pressure on Cade Cunningham against an elite PNR handler defense. The Cavs aren’t a big paint offense even when they are bigger, so they may not be affected as much against the elite Pistons paint defense.

*James Harden‘s Q tag is really the whole story here. In the game without him, Dennis Schroder dominated with a 26-point game against the Bucks. The role was just as good at 17 drives, 7.5 minutes of touch time, and 14 potential assists. While the role would likely stick without James, the matchup is substantially worse, as he would likely see a decent bit of Ausar Thompson to disrupt the flow of the offense. 

*If Harden goes, he should be full in a really tough matchup. He’d have a massive role on his hands in a tough spot. It’s not exciting for a guy who has a fracture in his thumb.

*Jarrett Allen is playing like one of the best centers in the league with a smash February of 22/12/2 over 29.2 minutes per game. This matchup is about as bad as it gets, as Jalen Duren has been able to limit opposing centers not named Jaylin Williams. I’m not too into it.