Pistons' Griffin to be rested over sore knee

Detroit Pistons All-Star forward Blake Griffin will miss his third consecutive game on Wednesday because of a sore left knee when his team hosts the Indiana Pacers. With the Pistons (39-38) clinging to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, Griffin will sit out again after missing Detroit's home win against Portland on Saturday and Monday's road loss at Indiana.

"We need another day with Blake, he's still sore, but it's about opportunity (for Pistons backups)," Detroit coach Dwane Casey told reporters on Wednesday. "It's not structural, it's what he can tolerate. Still not comfortable with it, so the medical people make the decision to hold him until he's comfortable." Injuries have often been a hindrance for the 30-year-old Griffin. He is averaged team-highs with 24.7 points and 5.5 assists -- along with an average of 7.7 rebounds -- in 72 games this season, his most since playing in 80 games in 2013-14.

A six-time All-Star, Griffin is enjoying his finest season as a scorer, with his previous best scoring average being 24.1 in 2013-14 with the Los Angeles Clippers. He has averaged 21.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in his eight-plus NBA seasons since being drafted with the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. The Pistons have lost four of their last six games as they try to fight off the Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat and Orlando Magic in the back end of the playoff chase in the East. With five games remaining in its season, Detroit has a magic number of three to clinch a spot in the postseason.