Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images How will the Pistons perform without potential All-Star Cade Cunningham? After suffering a gut-wrenching loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the Cade Cunningham-less Detroit Pistons take on the surging Orlando Magic. The Magic are without All-Star forward Paolo Banchero, while Cunningham is out with a pelvis injury for Detroit. These teams play a similar brand of ball, and injuries robbed fans of a potential classic duel. Game Vitals When: 7 p.m. ETWhere: Kia Center, Orlando, FloridaWatch: Fan Duel Sports Network DetroitOdds: Pistons +9.5 Analysis The Pistons have had their fair share of troubles closing out games as a team but have also gutted out some thrillers— they’re going to be up and down as they grow. The young guys are leading this thing. It sucks that Cade is out. Wishing him the best, but glass-half-full— Cade is back healthy and explosive soon after time off, and JB Bickerstaff gets to gauge more young guys. Jaden Ivey will be tasked with taking on most of Cunningham’s on-ball reps—this can be good for his growth. Wendell Moore Jr. is only 23 years old and has played well the previous four games. His skillsets aren’t best used without a Cade-type player, but seeing what he has with the ball more could possibly unlock something. The same could be said about 19-year-old Ron Holland. He may see the biggest increase in on-ball responsibility, let’s see what he does with those reps. Marcus Sasser should play more; his shotmaking will be needed against a stingy Magic defense. Like the Pistons, the Magic are tough on the gritty side of the floor but struggle on offense. Orlando has the fourth-best defense, while Detroit has the 12th. The Magic are anchored by their All-Defensive level guards, Jalen Suggs and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a former Piston. Jonathan Issac is a game-wrecking defender who comes off the bench, aiding their defensive identity. Utility guys like Anthony Black, Tristian da Silva, and Mo Wagner play big minutes, fighting on defense and keeping the ball moving on offense. Franz Wagner isn’t a scrub on that end either, but he’s their No. 1 scorer while Banchero is out. Over the last 10 games, Wagner is averaging 27.5 PPG, 6 RPG, and 6 APG on 57 TS%. His usage has turned up a notch with Banchero out. Tobias Harris will take on that matchup 8h Cade’s absence. Harris was cooking in the last outing Thursday night. 26 & 8 on 81 TS% is the type of performance needed. When the game went into overtime, I felt he should’ve gotten the ball more on the one hand, but allowing the young players to marinate in those late-game settings is needed for growth. It obviously would’ve been even better if Cade had been here to challenge Wagner. Both jumbo playmakers were selected in the lottery in the 2021 draft, so their names are always connected. Without Cade, seeing how the pairing of Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart is affected will be something to keep tabs on. The bigs may take on even more dribble handoff reps. More games equal more opportunities. Duren has been a rollercoaster, but I’m hoping for the good moments in this one. The Magic are without Wendall Carter Jr. Goga Bitadze and Mo Wagner aren’t afterthoughts, but Duren and Stew should have their way on the glass. Wagner will stretch the floor, so antennas need to be up. Detroit are huge dogs with Cade out, and the Magic are 7-3 in the last 10. It’s going to be a tough one, but Bickerstaff will have the guys prepared. Projected Lineups Detroit Pistons (7-10)(Who takes Cade’s spot?), Jaden Ivey, Tim Hardaway Jr, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren Orlando Magic(10-7)Jalen Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Franz Wagner, Tristan da Sliva, Goga Bitadze Question of the Day What's your take on the Cade vs. Franz debate that’s been all over X(Twitter) the last few days? Cade way better? It’s close? Franz? How close are they as individual players?