The Pistons begin the season with a relatively stacked slate, including seven of their first 10 games against playoff hopefuls. Their first nationally televised game will come in Game 4, against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 27th. An injury to Cavs starter Max Strus may add an unexpected element to this game and even lead to Malik Beasley’s return to Detroit.
Strus has been Cleveland’s primary perimeter defender in the starting lineup, crammed between two small guards and two huge bigs. He would likely have been the one guarding Cade Cunningham in this matchup. In lieu of his injury, someone else will have to step up off the bench.