The report that Detroit Pistons fans were dreading came out this morning – star forward Blake Griffin is likely to miss the entire first round of the playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks. Of course, that comes on the heels of a Game 1 blowout loss to the Bucks in which the team was thoroughly embarrassed in nearly every facet.
Despite this, according to Pistons writer Keith Langlois, Griffin still wants to be out on the floor despite a nagging knee injury.
Dwane Casey says Blake Griffin is lobbying to play but decision is in hands of medical team
— Keith Langlois (@Keith_Langlois) April 15, 2019
“If it was my decision, I would’ve played,” Griffin told ESPN after Game 1.
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Things went from bad to worse for the Detroit Pistons.
Already overwhelmed by the relentless attack of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Eric Bledsoe, center Andre Drummond took out his frustration on Giannis Antetokounmpo, shoving the Greek Freak to the floor as he was going for a layup.
Andre Drummond has been assigned a Flagrant 2 and he’s EJECTED!! pic.twitter.com/0jahWaJGWZ
— Cream City Central (@CreamCityCtral) April 15, 2019
Drummond was hit with a flagrant-2 foul and thrown from the game. Additionally, the inactive Blake Griffin was given a technical for arguing the call.
Pistons beat writer Rod Beard had this observation:
#Pistons Andre Drummond gets a flagrant-2 for that hard foul on Giannis. Blake Griffin (who is inactive) also gets a tech for arguing.
Yeah, this thing is going off the rails.
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) April 15, 2019
Ouch.
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It was an ugly scene at Little Caesars Arena during the first half of Tuesday night's game between the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies. The fact that Memphis was missing eight regulars from their lineup didn't stop the players on the floor from building a staggering 22 point lead over Detroit, leading to a chorus of boos from the fans in attendance.
However, the Pistons were able to mount a comeback for a dramatic 100-93 victory to inch closer to the Eastern Conference's playoff spot. Pistons center Andre Drummond had himself a good second half, with a renewed effort on the defensive end.
“I made a decision to start trapping in the second half,” Drummond explained. “I told (assistant) coach Sweeney – ‘I think we need to blitz them and make them speed up the game a little…..we made them play our game, we made them pick the pace up and they weren’t ready for it.”
