The Miami Heat is deprived of its key players right now and is facing a very tough test. The trio of Kevin Love, Tyler Herro, and Josh Richardson, each of whom has proven to be vital contributors in the lineups are nursing their injuries. Occupying the eighth seed, the South Beach franchise will take on the bottom-dwelling Detroit Pistons tonight. Luckily, even their rivals won’t be fully armed.

The Pistons have been mediocre, to say the least. They began the season winning two of their first three games. Cade Cunningham was back, and the Pistons seemed to be rolling with his playmaking and shot creation Rookie Jalen Duren had also become a heavy hitter, instantly becoming an invaluable starter.

Then came the blow of injuries and inconsistency. Rather it was appalling considering they lost 15 straight games in November and a record 27 games in a row. Their dire state remains. But it could get worse as their new acquisition is doubtful to play against the Miami Heat tonight.

Detroit Pistons could miss Grimes against the Heat

The Pistons welcomed Quentin Grimes, a 23-year-old forward during the trade deadline when making a deal with the New York Knicks. They lost Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks, two starlets who carried the majority of the scoring load for the franchise. But in return, they received a raw talent brimming with potential.

In his first few years with the Knicks, Grimes was the apple of everyone’s eyes. When the team was struggling, the 23-year-old was the product that gave them hope for the future. Grimes is a classic 3-and-D guard who was taking on the assignment of guarding the opposition’s best players. He is a point-of-attack defender who stays active throughout his time on the floor. There is no easy shot with his tantalizing defense.

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However, when the Knicks acquired OG Anunoby during the trade deadline, Grimes’ place dropped in the chain. He was playing behind both Josh Hart and the former Raptors slasher, which meant fewer minutes. His youth made him a trade prospect, which the Knicks utilized to strengthen their depth.

With just four matches with the Pistons so far, Quentin Grimes has found it tough to generate a groove this season. He is averaging just 5.2 points in 20 minutes while shooting an unflattering 25% from the field. The slump though is forgiving since he is adjusting to a new system in Detroit, one that doesn’t rely on him being just a floor spacer. It’s an unfamiliar role for the 23-year-old, who would stay sharp in the pockets of the Knicks. The Pistons however are 27th in the league when it comes to three-point attempts.

On the bright side, a new team is a chance for him to develop tools and augment his game. However, he was sidelined in the last game against the Orlando Magic with a knee injury. His status remains doubtful against the Heat as he is listed to be a day-to-day decision. Grimes is yet to be fully integrated into the rotations, hence the Pistons shouldn’t feel a heavy void without him. With the Heat shorthanded, do you think the Pistons can pull off an upset? Let us know in the comments below.

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