Pistons Lose Crucial Star For Game 3 vs Knicks

The Detroit Pistons are heading into Game 3 of their first round matchup with the New York Knicks tied at 1-1. The series is heading back to Detroit, where the Pistons will need all the help they can get to pull off the upset and move on to the next round.

Unfortunately for them, they will once again be without important big man Isaiah Stewart for Game 3. Stewart is no longer a starter after starting for the team most of last year, but he is still an important bench piece in the team's frontcourt rotation.

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Stewart, on the season, averaged just under 20 minutes a game, putting up 6.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He also provides decent enough floor spacing for center, shooting 32.1% on the season.

With the Knicks having lots of size and physicality with Karl-Anthony Towns, lacking that presence will be tough for the Pistons in Game 3 and beyond in this series.

Stewart did struggle a bit in Game 1, finishing with five fouls and two points in 19 minutes, but just having another body to throw at KAT will be important for the Pistons moving forward, especially one that has some offensive skill.

The current replacement for Stewart is Paul Reed, who happens to be a former Knick. In Game 2, he played decently well in a revenge game, putting up six points and a plus-minus of +13 in just 11 minutes.

It will be interesting to see if Reed can continue to provide solid production in place of Stewart. While it is unlikely he would fully replace Stewart in the rotation, it is entirely possible both earn playing time in the eyes of head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris will likely dominate frontcourt minutes until Stewart returns, with both being slightly undersized compared to KAT.

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KAT did have a down game in Game 2 of the series, partly due to foul trouble, so maybe the best strategy for the Pistons in Game 3 is to continue to attack him on defense and get him into foul trouble to limit his offensive production.

No matter what strategy Bickerstaff decides to employ for the rest of the series, the team will miss Stewart and will need to not allow the Knicks to punch them in the mouth and steal Game 3 on the road.

Maybe Reed can further channel the idea of revenge into future games as well, and continue to have a positive impact on the Pistons in Stewart's absence.

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