MINNEAPOLIS − The Detroit Pistons used a dominant performance from Jalen Duren to blow out the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, 129-108.
They are now on a two-game road trip, starting with the Western Conference 5-seed Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, March 28, at Target Center.
The Pistons’ magic number to clinch the 1-seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs is five over the second-place Boston Celtics.
The Timberwolves catch the Pistons without Cade Cunningham, who suffered a collapsed lung injury and will miss his sixth straight game. The Pistons are 4-1 without him. Daniss Jenkins, the former two-way player, will again start at point guard.
Pistons All-Star center Jalen Duren has been dominant in 19 games since returning from a two-game suspension, averaging 23.7 points on 66.5% shooting with 11 rebounds.
Duren, Ausar Thompson and Tobias Harris have been upgraded to probable, but Duncan Robinson (right hip strain) remains questionable. He missed Thursday’s win over New Orleans, with Kevin Huerter balling out in his place.
The Pistons remain down standout backup Isaiah Stewart (calf) for an eighth straight game.
Superstar guard Anthony Edwards (right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome) and Jaden McDaniels (right knee soreness) are both out for the Timberwolves, as is top bench guard Ayo Dosunmu (right calf strain).
[ Pistons’ draft pick hinges on Timberwolves’ performance ]
Here’s how and what to watch for in tonight’s Pistons vs. Timberwolves game, including the TV channel, streaming link, the lineups, injury report and betting odds.
Is Cade Cunningham playing today?
No. The Pistons’ superstar remains out after suffering a collapsed lung and is set to be reevaluated next week.
Pistons vs Timberwolves prediction
Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press: Both teams will be without their superstar guards. The Pistons’ ability to overcome Cunningham’s absence, though, largely depends on who else suits up. They’ll have a chance if Duren, who has been on a tear since All-Star Weekend, suits up. If they’re without Duren and several other starters, it could be a long night even with Edwards sidelined. The pick: Timberwolves 114, Pistons 110.
Pistons vs Timberwolves game time
Pistons vs Timberwolves TV channel
Pistons injury report vs Timberwolves
Injury updates on players on the 15-man roster, as of Saturday afternoon:
Caris LeVert and Marcus Sasser were upgraded from probable to available earlier Saturday.
Timberwolves injury report vs Pistons
Injury updates on players on the 15-man roster, as of Saturday afternoon:
Pistons vs Timberwolves starting lineups today
Here’s the projected Pistons-Timberwolves starting lineups:
Pistons vs Timberwolves odds
Minnesota was a 2½-point favorite earlier Saturday, until news of three Pistons starters being upgraded to probable.
Odds provided by BetMGM as of Saturday afternoon.
Pistons schedule, upcoming games
Full Pistons 82-game schedule for the 2025-26 regular season. Here are the next five games after the Wolves:
Watch our podcast, “The Pistons Pulse,” discuss the Cade Cunningham injury fallout, the playoff chase and more:
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky and/or X @omarisankofa.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Is Cade Cunningham playing today? Pistons vs Timberwolves prediction, injuries
Reporting by Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
