Pistons at Suns
The Detroit Pistons are hopeful of having center Andre Drummond back in the lineup when they visit the Phoenix Suns on Friday. Drummond missed Wednesday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets due to neck injury and is scheduled to undergo an evaluation in the hours prior to tip-off to see if he is fit to return. Phoenix is trying to stay in the Western Conference playoff race and trails Memphis and Dallas by 1 1/2 games for the final two spots.
The Suns have won three of their last four games and badly need a victory over the Pistons with four of their next five games being on the road. Phoenix defeated the Orlando Magic 109-93 on Wednesday to improve to 23-13 at home. Detroit has endured major issues on the road with 11 consecutive losses to drop to 10-21 away from home. Drummond suffered his injury in a freak collision with Indiana center Roy Hibbert on March 14.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, FSN Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE PISTONS (25-42): Detroit has lost 13 of its last 16 contests to clinch its sixth straight losing season. The Pistons were 21-29 when they fired Maurice Cheeks and replaced him with interim coach John Loyer and the club soon careened out of the playoff race. Power forward Greg Monroe had 22 points against Denver – his fourth 20-point effort in a seven-game stretch – and is averaging 16.4 points and 11 rebounds in March. Monroe had 20 points and 12 rebounds when the Pistons beat the Suns earlier this season.
ABOUT THE SUNS (39-29): Nine players received at least 20 minutes of action and point guard Goran Dragic was the only one who played more than 25 in the victory over Orlando. Several players have appeared beaten down in recent weeks as Phoenix has endured a 3-7 stretch, so coach Jeff Hornacek was looking for an opportunity to give some players a breather. “We got everybody minutes. Again, guys are a little tired and banged up,” Hornacek said afterward. “Games like this can really help us in terms of being really rested going forward.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. F Josh Smith had 25 points and 11 rebounds and hit the game-winning shot with 1.2 seconds left when Detroit beat the Suns 110-108 on Jan. 11.
2. Phoenix G Eric Bledsoe is averaging 12.6 points on 37 percent shooting in five games since returning from a knee injury.
3. Pistons PG Brandon Jennings had a season-high 18 assists in the first meeting.