DETROIT, Mich. — The Detroit Pistons open the regular season against the Boston Celtics on Oct. 20, and coach J.B. Bickerstaff still has rotation decisions to settle on a deeper roster.
Detroit comes off a 60-22 record last season, and its core is set around Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson. Offseason additions John Collins and Isaiah Joe join a group that already includes Duncan Robinson, Kevin Huerter and Ron Holland II.
The biggest balance is between shooting and defense. Robinson made 220 three-pointers last season while shooting 41% from beyond the arc, the kind of spacing that gives Cunningham room to attack. Thompson and Holland bring the defensive edge that has defined the team.
Robinson, Collins, Holland and Paul Reed all appear set for meaningful minutes, leaving Bickerstaff to decide how the rest of the playing time is split.
In northern Michigan, Pistons games air on MeTV Northern Michigan over the air on channels 9.3, 10.3 or 45.3.
