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Predicting the Cavs’ record against divisional rivals

By Doug Patrick

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 20: Larry Nance Jr. #22 and Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers box out Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 20: Larry Nance Jr. #22 and Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers box out Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 28: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons compete for the ball on January 28, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 28: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons compete for the ball on January 28, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Detroit Pistons: 2-2

Between Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, the Pistons are more talented at the top of their rotation than the Cavs’ Kevin Love and Collin Sexton (or Rodney Hood).

However, as the past few years have shown us, any roster with Griffin on it should also have an asterisk next to his name. He’s an injury-prone player and likely going to miss some time.

If the Cavs catch the Pistons when Reggie Jackson must play Robin to Andre Drummond’s Batman, they will have a greater chance at stealing a couple games away from them.

My prediction of a series split is predicated mostly on the fact that Griffin will miss time and chemistry issues will ensue. A locker room with Jackson almost guarantees that.

I’ll go one step further and admit that my projection here is more gut-based than the rest.

There’s definitely a reality in which the Pistons make a push for a mid-seed in the playoffs and look good enough to push a tough Pacers or Sixers team.

But to bet on the Pistons reaching their full-potential means betting that Griffin stays healthy and Stanley Johnson’s game becomes less “blah.”

Luke Kennard could certainly blossom into something this upcoming season, especially as a deadeye shooter. He shot 41.5 percent from deep last season.

Jackson may return back to his 2015-2016 form and give the Pistons a truer “Big Three.” Drummond may add a little more consistency around the rim and in the post.

Reggie Bullock may fit perfectly into a lineup that defends and allows him to stand around the arc and wait to knock down threes (44.5 percent last season).

I just don’t see them being anything more than a depressing middle-of-the-road team though. They seem to have the makings of a team like the Wizards — playing up, and down, to their competition. The games they win probably won’t make sense. Same with the games they lose.

If the young Cavs like Osman and Sexton develop and Hood possesses some consistency, I see this matchup being pretty even. If Griffin is out, then there’s even more room and opportunity for Love to operate and less responsibility for him on defense when the Pistons try to switch onto the player formerly known as Mr. Clipper.