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Detroit Pistons Reveal Starting Lineup vs Cavaliers on Friday

Who is starting for the Pistons on Friday night against the Cavaliers?
Justin Grasso|
Dec 2, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives the ball up court between Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) and guard Jaden Ivey (23) during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
Dec 2, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives the ball up court between Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) and guard Jaden Ivey (23) during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsCleveland Cavaliers

Throughout the 2024 NBA Preseason, the Detroit Pistons tinkered with the starting five as they brought in a handful of new veterans over the offseason.

Since the Pistons are still a work in progress, JB Bickerstaff doesn’t have to be fully committed to just one group of starters this early on.

If Detroit wants to try new looks against different opponents, this time of the year would be the perfect opportunity to do so.

Against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, the Pistons went with a familiar look from the preseason. As expected, the starting backcourt consisted of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.

Tobias Harris was an obvious start for Detroit, while Tim Hardaway Jr. got the nod to enter the starting five for the night. Similar to Harris, Hardaway joined the Pistons over the summer and brings plenty of experience to the table. While he struggled during the preseason, the Pistons have maintained their trust in Hardaway.

And to no surprise, the Pistons started Jalen Duren at center.

Will Detroit go with the same look on Friday?

Cade Cunningham facing the Detroit Pistons.
Dec 2, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) moves the ball up court as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) defends during the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images

Pistons Starting Lineup vs Cavaliers

  • Cade Cunningham
  • Jaden Ivey
  • Tobias Harris
  • Tim Hardaway Jr.
  • Jalen Duren

The Pistons fell short against Indiana with a 115-109 loss on Wednesday. Cade Cunningham led the team in scoring with 28 points. He nearly notched a double-double with eight assists.

Hardaway is going to be a name to keep an eye on, as his role could be fluid. He had a decent shooting night against Indiana, making four of his nine attempts, with all of his field goals coming from beyond the arc. He finished the game with 14 points.

The Pistons and the Cavaliers will tip-off at 7:30 PM ET.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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