Detroit, MI
‘Dynamic’ Jaden Ivey getting up to speed in small doses for Pistons
J.B. Bickerstaff on Jaden Ivey’s fifth game since returning from injury on Nov. 22.
J.B. Bickerstaff on Jaden Ivey’s fifth game since returning from injury on Nov. 22.
Miami — After losing their previous two games, the Detroit Pistons bounced back on Saturday night with a 138-135 victory over the Miami Heat. From Duncan Robinson’s homecoming to the Heat’s fourth-quarter rally, which overcame a 22-point deficit, Jaden Ivey’s production at Kaseya Center went somewhat under the radar.
Ivey contributed to the win by playing 14 minutes, notching nine points, two rebounds and an assist. The production the Pistons received from Ivey was a bit surprising, given that the fourth-year guard was not expected to play on the second night of a back-to-back. However, the absences of Jalen Duren (left leg contusion) and Caris LeVert (right knee soreness) made his services needed.
“This is my first back-to-back night in a year or so; I am definitely starting to get used to playing more and getting into a routine,” Ivey told The Detroit News. “I thought tonight was great. I took my time and let the game come to me with the minutes I was given, playing off of everybody else.”
In addition to playing in his first back-to-back games since December 2024, Ivey reached another important milestone in his recovery from injury. The Pistons’ road contest against the Heat also marked Ivey’s fifth game since his season debut against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 22.
While playing under a 15-minute restriction in each of the five games, Ivey has looked promising in his return, averaging 8.2 points on 43.8% shooting from the floor, 35.7% from 3-point range, and 2.0 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game.
He scored in double figures twice, with his best coming during the Pistons’ 122-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 24. Ivey recorded a season-high 12 points off the bench, highlighted by scoring on a step-back 3-pointer that halted the Pacers’ third-quarter rally at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“It has been great having him back out there; he is such a dynamic player,” Isaiah Stewart said. “His speed, the way he plays the game, it’s great having him out there. He gives the defense a different look and changes the game in different ways.”
Ivey is still working to find his rhythm after a 10-month layoff, but he mentioned that his body felt great during the game against the Heat.
He understands that he still has a long journey ahead before he can return to the player he was during his career year, which ended with a broken left fibula in January. However, his main focus is on doing whatever it takes to help the Pistons win.
“Every single game, making sure that I impact the game in many different ways, even when I am not scoring as much as my normal thought process would be, I can still have an impact on the game,” Ivey said. “Even when I played my first game, I just wanted to help the team and be a part of a winning culture that is being set here. Whatever I can do to help, I am going to do my job and do it every single night.”
The past 11 months have been full of challenges for Ivey. Before suffering a season-ending injury, he played 30 games last season, averaging a career-best 17.6 points on 40.9% shooting from 3-point range, along with 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
He was on track to make his long-awaited return at the start of the season, but sustained a right knee injury during training camp that forced him to have arthroscopic surgery in October.
Ivey has expressed gratitude since returning from injury, and his feelings coincide with those of his teammates and coaches, who believe his return will bolster the Pistons’ 16-4 start to the season.
“(Saturday night) was his best,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “When you haven’t played basketball in nearly 11 months, playing in smaller doses is not always going to be easy. For any guy to come back, it is just hard. Finding your rhythm is hard, but he showed what he is capable of doing.”
Hawks (12-8) at Pistons (16-4)
▶ Tip-off: 7 p.m. Monday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
▶ TV/radio: FDSN/97.1
▶ Pistons injuries: Jalen Duren (left leg contusion; out), Marcus Sasser (right hip impingement; out), Bobi Klintman (left ankle sprain; out)
▶ Projected lineups: Pistons — guards Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson; forwards Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris; center Isaiah Stewart. Hawks — guards Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker; forwards Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson; center Onyeka Okongwu.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
Detroit, MI
Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron
The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.
Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer
Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.
In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.
Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.
A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.
The Pistons could use someone like Kennard
Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.
Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.
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Detroit, MI
Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94
A Detroit woman was arrested in the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision and shooting on Interstate 94, Michigan State Police reported.
Emergency dispatchers were called shortly after midnight Saturday about the altercation. Troopers reported the caller said while they were driving eastbound on I-94, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a black Jeep sideswiped them and sped off.
The caller then decided to follow the Jeep.
In response, police said, the driver of the Jeep fired several gunshots in the caller’s direction.
None of the gunshots struck the vehicle.
Troopers were able to use license plate reader camera technology to locate the Jeep while it was on the Lodge Freeway, made a traffic stop. The driver and two passengers were taken into custody without incident.
The passengers were released shortly afterwards; troopers believe that the 19-year-old driver was the shooter. She has been lodged pending further review by the prosecutor’s office.
In addition, a firearm was recovered from the vehicle.
The above video originally aired on Aug. 19, 2025.
Detroit, MI
Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday
NBA playoffs best matchups
Breaking down the best first-round NBA playoff matchups.
Who is favored in the NBA playoffs odds for Game 1 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic?
Here’s what you need to know about NBA playoff betting odds for the NBA game between the No. 8 seed Magic and No. 1 seed Pistons, which is being played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
What is the point spread for the Pistons vs Magic game?
What is the moneyline for the Magic vs Pistons game?
What is the over/under (point total) for betting on the first-round NBA playoff matchup?
NBA playoffs odds: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | NBA championship odds | Game odds
Watch Magic at Pistons on Peacock
Magic vs Pistons odds: What is point spread?
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Detroit Pistons are an 8.5-point favorite over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs series.
NBA playoffs Game 1 predictions, picks: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | The Republic’s score projections
Pistons vs Magic odds: What is moneyline?
BetMGM Sportsbook lists Detroit as -375 on the moneyline for the first-round NBA playoff game. It has Orlando at +290.
NBA playoffs series schedules, TV channels: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | Daily schedule | First-round matchups
Magic vs Pistons odds: What is over/under?
The point total for the opening game of the NBA playoffs series between the Pistons and Magic is listed at 218.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.
NBA playoffs series picks, predictions: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | The Republic’s predictions | NBA playoff bracket
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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