Detroit Pistons Blog – Page 31 – NBA Blog

Detroit Pistons on a hot streak

The Pistons (40-35) have won six of seven games to move into seventh place in the East, a half-game ahead of the Pacers (39-35) and two games in front of the Bulls (37-37). Detroit needs two wins to secure its first winning season since 2007-08. Stan Van Gundy’s crew is seeking its first trip to the playoffs since 2008-09. Andre Drummond, who leads in the NBA in rebounding (14.9 rpg) and double-doubles (62), is on pace to average at least 13.0 rebounds for the third consecutive season. The last player to accomplish this feat was Dwight Howard, who did it in five straight seasons with the Magic (2007-12). The Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, who ranks second in the NBA in rebounding (13.9 rpg), is also on pace to average at least 13.0 boards for a third straight season.

— NBA News

Pistons sign Lorenzo Brown to second 10-day contract

The Detroit Pistons have signed guard Lorenzo Brown to a second 10-day contract.

Brown, a 6-5, 189-pound guard holds NBA averages of 3.3 points, 2.3 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 13.2 minutes in 63 career games with the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns. He was signed to two 10-day contracts with the Phoenix Suns this season and averaged 2.5 points, 1.4 assists, 0.9 rebounds and 7.6 minutes in eight games.

A second-round selection (52nd overall) by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2013 NBA Draft, Brown most recently played for the Detroit Pistons NBA Developmental League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive. In 25 contests with the Drive, he averaged 18.3 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals.

Help coming soon for the Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are 38-34 and one game ahead of the Chicago Bulls for the 8th spot in the Eastern conference. We’re down to the wire in the 2016 NBA playoff race. For this squad especially, each remaining win/loss matters. Here’s Michigan Live with a health update:

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Bullock were back at the Detroit Pistons’ practice facility today and presumably will be recovered well enough from their illnesses to play Friday against the Charlotte Hornets.

The two guards both fell ill Wednesday and missed that night’s 118-102 victory over the Orlando Magic.

Darrun Hilliard got his first NBA start in their absence.

Pistons guard Jodie Meeks remains out

He was supposed to have returned by now.

Instead, guard Jodie Meeks remains sidelined and could stay that way as the Detroit Pistons bid for their first playoff berth since 2009.

Acknowledging but choosing not to elaborate, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said Monday he doesn’t expect Meeks back in game-ready shape before the end of the season.

“No, I don’t,” Van Gundy said. “Unfortunately.”

— Michigan Live

Pistons sign Lorenzo Brown to 10-day contract

The Detroit Pistons have signed guard Lorenzo Brown to a 10-day contract.

A 6-5, 189-pound guard, Brown’s NBA average is 3.3 points, 2.3 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 13.2 minutes in 63 career games played with the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns. He was signed to two 10-day contracts with the Phoenix Suns this season, with whom he averaged 2.5 points, 1.4 assists, 0.9 rebounds and 7.6 minutes in eight games.

Pistons sign Justin Harper to second 10-day contract

The Detroit Pistons signed forward Justin Harper to a second 10-day contract.

Harper in three games with Detroit this season is averaging 3.3 points and 0.3 rebounds in 7.5 minutes per outing.

Harper, 6-10, 225, averaged 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 34 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders (D-League) this season. He shot an impressive 48.5% from the field, 40.3% from beyond the arc and 88.5% from the free-throw line.

A second-round pick (32nd overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft, Harper saw action in 14 NBA games with the Orlando Magic during the 2011-12 season.

Pistons rookie Stanley Johnson still out

Detroit Pistons rookie Stanley Johnson’s shoulder is still not feeling right and the forward, averaging nine points per game, will not be available for the Pistons against the Knicks on Saturday in Madison Square Garden or Sunday, against the Trail Blazers, at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

But guard Jodie Meeks practiced for the first time in weeks after breaking his toe, and the team also gave forward/center Justin Harper a second 10-day contract, coach Stan Van Gundy said.

“(Johnson) didn’t do anything today,” Van Gundy said, as the Pistons concluded drills in their practice facility. “So, he won’t be ready to go this weekend.”

— Detroit News

Pistons sign Justin Harper to 10-day contract

The Detroit Pistons have signed forward Justin Harper to a 10-day contract. This after the team just announced that forward Stanley Johnson is out for perhaps one week with a shoulder injury.

Harper, 6-10, 225, averaged 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 34 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League this season. He shot 48.5% from the field, 40.3% from beyond the arc and 88.5% from the free-throw line.

A second-round pick (32nd overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft, Harper saw action in 14 NBA games with the Orlando Magic during the 2011-12 season.

Stanley Johnson out with shoulder sprain

An MRI performed yesterday on Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson confirmed a right shoulder sprain. Johnson will begin rehabilitation immediately and will be re-evaluated in a week.

Johnson suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Detroit’s win at Cleveland on 2/22.

Pistons rescind trade acquiring Donatas Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has rescinded a trade that acquired forward/center Donatas Motiejunas and guard Marcus Thornton from the Houston Rockets in exchange for center Joel Anthony and a protected 2016 first-round draft pick.

“Standard with all trades, medical clearance on all players involved is required for completion. Medical clearance was not given on all players and the trade is being rescinded,” said Jeff Bower, General Manager of the Detroit Pistons. “In view of privacy considerations relating to medical information, we will have no further comment.”