The Detroit Pistons started 2018 with Avery Bradley in the lineup against the Miami Heat Wednesday night.
The Detroit Pistons posted a 5-2 record without Avery Bradley on the court. After missing seven games in three weeks, he was a bit out of sync on the defensive end in his return to action Wednesday night. Bradley scored 15 points and shot 6-for-19 from the field in 38 minutes.
One of their most impressive wins during his absence was a complete defensive dismantling of the San Antonio Spurs. Even though Bradley and Stanley Johnson didn’t suit up, Detroit managed to beat the Spurs 93-79, closing out 2017 with a decisive win.
Returning to the lineup on a night when Detroit’s roster looked like a walking mash unit proved an insurmountable challenge for the Pistons. Without Andre Drummond, Johnson, Reggie Jackson and Jon Leuer in the lineup, the team fell to the Heat, 111-104. The loss drops the Detroit Pistons into sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
After the game, Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free-Press spoke with Bradley about his return.
"“There’s other ways I can affect the game and I understand that,” Bradley said. “I just have to go out there with the mindset that the shots are eventually going to fall. It is a rhythm thing. I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t play the way I wanted to, but it’s part of the game.”"
Though he was rusty from not playing, the amount of time Bradley played should encourage Stan Van Gundy and staff. Bradley put up respectable numbers despite sharing the backcourt with Reggie Bullock (35 minutes, 17 points and one assist), and Ish Smith (31 minutes, six points, five rebounds and four assists).
With Reggie Jackson out for an extended amount of time, finding a rhythm with Bullock and Smith is imperative if the Pistons want to stay in the playoff hunt.
Avery Bradley looking good in his return! #PistonsNow pic.twitter.com/Id7Pf5Lp4A
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) January 4, 2018
With so many key players out due to injury, Bradley will have to adjust to being back on the court and fitting into a new role while Van Gundy tweaks his lineup.
Updates on injured players
Andre Drummond didn’t play due to a rib contusion. He is listed as a game-time decision for Friday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. During his absence, Boban Marjanovic posted 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one block in 22 minutes while filling in for the big man in Miami.
Van Gundy thought Johnson might be ready to go against the Miami Heat, but he will stay out of the lineup at least until Friday. Johnson, who did not play against the Spurs or Heat, has missed five games with hip flexor issues this season.
Jon Leuer underwent an injection in his sprained left ankle injured Oct. 31. He will be evaluated later this month. The medical staff will make a determination about his possible return at that time. Detroit is willing to leave the final decisions up to Leuer. Per Keith Langlois of NBA.com, Van Gundy spoke earlier this week on the decisions Leuer faces.
"“Ultimately, it’s on him. We can give him all the advice in the world, but I can’t tell him to play and I can’t tell him to go get surgery. If we’re another 12 days and we haven’t had anything change, he’s going to have to make some decisions on what he wants to do.”"
Leuer has played in eight games this season.
Reggie Jackson remains out of the lineup with a severely sprained ankle. The Detroit Pistons anticipate having Jackson back in the lineup after the All-Star break.
Next: 2017-18 Week 12 NBA Power Rankings
Detroit’s first week of 2018 will be a busy one. Their schedule includes two road games. They faced the Heat in Miami, Friday they take on the 76ers and then return home to face the Houston Rockets on Saturday.