Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart was traded to the New York Knicks on Tuesday. The third-year player has missed the past seven games with a sprained toe.
According to the injury report, Bojan Bogdanovic (knee), Marvin Bagley III (migraine) and Jaden Ivey (knee) are listed as questionable for Tuesday night’s game. Of course, Cade Cunningham will be out indefinitely due to a shin injury.
Several NBA betting sites have the Pistons fourth-lowest odds to win the championship in 2023. Even with Ivey and Cunningham healthy, some sportsbooks aren’t counting on Detroit making the playoffs.
Pistons starting big man Isaiah Stewart is expected to return to the Knicks tonight after missing the last 7.5 games with a sprained toe. Stewart was averaging 12 points and 9 rebounds before the injury and was shooting 50 percent from 3 over his last 32 attempts.
— James L. Edwards III (@JLEDwardsIII) November 29, 2022
In 15 starts this season, Stewart is averaging a career-high 12 points per game, along with 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists. He also shot 47.5% from the field. The Pistons center also recorded seven double-doubles this season.
On October 30, the center scored a game-high 24 points in 33 minutes of action in the Pistons’ 128–114 win over the Golden State Warriors. He finished 6 of 10 (60%) from the floor and 2 of 5 (40%) from downtown.
Pistons center Isaiah Stewart has improved for Tuesday night’s game against the Knicks.
While his block percentage is a career-low 2.4%, the Washington product averages a career-high 18.7% for total rebound percentage, 7.1% for assist percentage and a true shooting percentage of 60.6%.
Stewart also ranks 20th in the NBA in offensive rating (125.7), 13th in total rebound percentage, 17th in offensive rebound percentage (11.1%), 15th in defensive rebound percentage (27%) and 20th in total rebounds (617).
After back-to-back losses, the Pistons could use Stewart back in the starting lineup. Halfway through the 2022-23 season, Detroit ranks 26th in scoring at 109.1 points per game.
Isaiah Stewart (finger) expected back Tuesday https://t.co/WwI9AXsC62 via @Koslow_ari #Pistons
— FantasyPros (@FantasyProsNBA) November 29, 2022
Without Cunningham and Ivy, their offensive efficiency is terrible. Not to mention, the defense hasn’t gotten any better. The team is giving up 116.7 points per game, ranking 25th overall.
The Pistons are currently 5-17 and in last place in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks are five-point favorites at Little Caesars Arena, as the Pistons have several injuries. New York has won its last 10 games against Detroit. After all, the Pistons are 0-5 in their last five home games against the Knicks.
