(Photo: Robin Buckson, The Detroit News)
Chicago — Some of the Pistons’ struggles in the first part of the season can be attributed to poor defense and a disjointed offense.
The bigger issue is playing shorthanded, which has had a ripple effect on the roster. Not having Blake Griffin (hamstring/knee), Reggie Jackson (back tightness) and rookie Sekou Doumbouya (concussion protocol) has pushed Markieff Morris and Tim Frazier into the starting lineup — and to add some offensive muscle, Luke Kennard also was promoted.
Griffin and Doumbouya haven’t played in a game this season and Jackson played in just the first two before having increasing issues with his back, which have kept him out for the past week.