BOSTON -- The Boston and their lack of big man depth may have caught a break heading into their game Friday night against Detroit.
The Pistons are going to be without 6-foot-9 forward Blake Griffin (left knee soreness) who did not make the trip with the team.
“It’s going to be day-to-day with him getting better, getting rehab on it,” said Detroit coach Dwane Casey.
Griffin had 15 points and four rebounds in Detroit’s 13-point loss to Toronto on Wednesday, after having missed the previous six games with knee soreness.
LIVE stream the Celtics all season and get the latest news and analysis on all of your teams from NBC Sports Boston by downloading the My Teams App.
This season has been a challenge for Griffin and the Pistons.
Coming off an All-Star season a year ago, Griffin has been limited to just 15 games while averaging 16.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists. His scoring and rebounding are both career lows, as well as his 37 percent shooting from the field while playing 28.3 minutes.
Boston (18-7) comes in without centers Robert Williams III (hip enema) and Vincent Poirier (finger) who will each be out for at least the next three weeks. The Celtics will also be without Gordon Hayward (foot) and Marcus Smart (eye infection).
The lack of big-man depth has forced the Celtics to go with 6-7 Grant Williams as the No. 3 center behind Daniel Theis and Enes Kanter. Behind Williams on the depth chart will likely be 7-5 Tacko Fall.
Boston Celtics
Don't miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Celtics-Pistons, which tips off Friday at 7 p.m. with Celtics Pregame Live, and then Mike and Tommy have the call at 7:30 p.m. You can also stream the game on the MyTeams App.