Game Preview: Pistons Face Cavs in First Meet Since Playoff Sweep

The Detroit Pistons (6-6) will play the Cleveland Cavaliers (9-2) for the first time since the Cavaliers swept Detroit in the first round of the NBA Playoffs last season, The game begins at 7:30pm EST in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers are off to an outstanding start to begin the season. They are 9-2 and playing the way they want to. The Cavs did, however, lose their last game to the Indiana Pacers, 103-93. LeBron James(rest) did not play in the game.Kevin Love led the charge for the Cavs, going off for 27 points and 16 rebounds. Kyrie Irving had 24 points and seven assists. The rest of the starting lineup for Cleveland, Richard Jefferson, Iman Shumpert, and Tristian Thompson combined for nine total points in the game.

While James is expected to play, the Cavs may be without another starter. J.R. Smith(right ankle) has missed Cleveland's last three games. He did go through shootaround today but is considered questionable to play.

The Pistons fell to the New York Knicks 105-102 in their last game. Detroit had a final shot at the buzzer to tie the game, but Kentavious Caldwell-Pope missed the game-tieing three. Kristaps Porzingis scored a career-high 35 points for the Knicks. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 21 points for the Pistons. Tobias Harris had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Andre Drummond finished just shy of a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds.

Reggie Jackson is out for the Pistons tonight. Everyone else is expected to play.

Probable Starting Lineups

Detroit Pistons

PG: Ish Smith

SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

SF: Marcus Morris

PF: Tobias Harris

C: Andre Drummond

Cleveland Cavaliers

PG: Kyrie Irving

SG: J.R. Smith

SF: LeBron James

PF: Kevin Love

C: Tristian Thompson

Kyrie Irving averaged 29 points per game against the Pistons last season. Expect Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to take the assignment of guarding him tonight. The Pistons realized they needed a bigger power forward after being swept by the Cavs last season. They went out and signed Jon Leuer. Leuer scored 17 points and grabbed nine boards in the loss to the Knicks. He is having a career year with Detroit. Expect to see him play nearly 30 minutes tonight.

Featured image: Allen Einstein/NBAE/GettyImages