Pistons Fall in Preseason Opener – Saturday Sports Wrap

MTU

The Michigan Tech hockey team skates at Bemidji State this weekend. Faceoffs are this evening at 5:07, and tomorrow at 3:07.

Northern Michigan University, which has struggled to get on the ice because of COVID-19 positives, has added two non-conference games against Ferris State this month. The teams will meet Wednesday in Marquette, and December 30th in Big Rapids. Northern’s New Year’s weekend home set against Minnesota State has been pushed back a day, to January 2nd and 3rd.

MLB

The player to be named later in the Brewers’ trade of reliever Cory Knebel to the Dodgers is left-handed pitcher Leo Crawford, a starter who split time between L-A’s Single and Double-A teams in 2019. He had a 7-4 record, with a 2.81 ERA.

NBA

The Detroit Pistons opened their preseason schedule with a 90-84 loss to the New York Knicks last night. Rookie Saddiq Bey and newcomer Svi Mykhailiuk each scored 14 points. With only four players back from last year’s team, Detroit committed 22 turnovers.

The Pistons host the Knicks again tomorrow night in the second of four tune-up contests. The regular season begins December 23rd. Listen for select Detroit games on 99.3 The Lift.

NHL

The Detroit Red Wings have traded the rights to forward Dmytro Timashov to the New York Islanders in exchange for future considerations. The Wings claimed Timashov off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs last season. He appeared in just five games for Detroit.

NFL

The Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers tomorrow in a 4:25 game on 99.3 The Lift. The Packers could clinch the NFC North title if they beat the Lions, and the Vikings lose to the Buccaneers.

Green Bay tight end Jace Sternberger will miss the game because of a concussion. Detroit will be without receiver Kenny Golladay, offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby and cornerback Jeff Okudah. The Lions are hoping that running back D’Andre Swift will be sufficiently recovered from his concussion to play.

The Lions have begun their search for a new general manager in-house. Sources say that three current employees have been interviewed – vice president of player personnel Kyle O’Brien, director of player personnel Lance Newmark and director of pro scouting Rob Lohman.

We also have a bonus college football broadcast this afternoon on 99.3 The Lift. The Army-Navy game will kick off at 3:00.

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