Blake Griffin looking doubtful for Pistons win-and-in game vs. Knicks

It’s a win and you’re in scenario for the Detroit Pistons Wednesday night, but they may have to do it without Blake Griffin.

It’s simple for the Detroit Pistons (40-41) Wednesday night. Beat the league-worst New York Knicks (17-64), and they’re in the playoffs. But they’ll likely have to do it without forward Blake Griffin, who was listed as doubtful but according to a few reports has now been ruled out.

Other reporters have passed along word from Pistons coach Dwane Casey saying he doesn’t think Griffin will play against the Knicks.

Griffin leads the Pistons in scoring (24.5 points per game) and assists (5.4 per game). He’s also averaging 7.5 rebounds per game, shooting 46.2 percent from the floor and 36.2 percent from 3-point range.

Griffin has been noticeably limited with this knee issue recently, as Detroit has lost four of their last five games. He played just 18 minutes against the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night, scoring five points with two rebounds.

Prior to last Sunday against the Charlotte Hornets, Griffin missed three straight games. The Pistons lost two of those three, and in the six games he has missed this season they are 1-5.  Detroit, not surprisingly, is 3-0 against the Knicks so far this season.

If Griffin can’t go Wednesday night, former lottery pick Thon Maker would start in his place. He has started all four games Griffin has missed since he was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks at the trade deadline, averaging 7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game in those contests.

With Griffin possibly out, and surely limited if he does play, center Andre Drummond would be in line for more touches. He has had a 2.5 percent usage rate spike with Griffin off the floor since the All-Star break, with double-doubles in eight of the last nine games (including all three that Griffin missed over that span).

Guard Reggie Jackson had 22, 19 and 13 field goal attempts in the three recent games Griffin missed, with over 20 points in the first two. He also had 16 field goal attempts Tuesday night, so if you have a DFS lineup Jackson might be a good option against the Knicks.

The Pistons shouldn’t have much trouble beating the Knicks with Griffin limited or out. But his condition for a potential first round playoff series is now a big question.