Marjanovic tallied a career-high 27 points (12-18 FG, 3-4 FT) to go with 12 rebounds and two assists across 28 minutes in a 114-109 win over the Rockets on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

In light of the Pistons' lackluster play heading into Friday, coach Stan Van Gundy announced he would make major adjustments to his rotation against the Rockets, indicating that Marjanovic and Henry Ellenson -- two big men who haven't been included in the rotation for much of the season -- would see 20-to-24 minutes. The rotation shakeup paid handsome dividends, as both players surpassed their projected minutes count while turning in double-doubles, with Marjanovic's scoring and rebound outputs leading the team. Because of his excellent play, Marjanovic even saw minutes in crunch time at the expense of starting center Andre Drummond, who was limited to eight points and nine rebounds over 20 minutes. After this standout performance, Marjanovic has likely cemented himself as the top backup at center over Aron Baynes, who was held out of the rotation Friday, and it wouldn't be surprising if he continued to outpace the struggling Drummond in playing time over the team's final three games. The 28-year-old looks like he could be a worthwhile waiver-wire target for the final week of the season.

Coach Stan Van Gundy said he expects Marjanovic to play 20-to-24 minutes Friday against the Rockets, Rod Beard of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Pistons haven't officially been eliminated from playoff contention, but with the team dropping eight of its last 10 games, Van Gundy seems to be waving the white flag on the season, as Marjanovic and rookie Henry Ellenson -- both of whom have been out of the rotation for much of the campaign -- will be in store for sizable workloads Friday. Marjanovic's elevated role off the bench could result in a few less minutes for starting center Andre Drummond, but it figures to have a more negative impact on Aron Baynes, who could be ousted from the rotation. With Baynes bound for free agency this summer and not expected to be retained, it's likely that Marjanovic will work as the team's primary backup center in 2017-18.

Marjanovic supplied six points (1-2 FG, 4-5 FT), five rebounds and one assist across 11 minutes in a 115-98 loss to the Pacers on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

As has often been the case in his two seasons in the league, Marjanovic shined for a statistical standpoint while getting some run in garbage time, but he may actually have an opportunity to play more meaningful minutes Thursday against the Cavaliers. The Pistons announced after Wednesday's loss that Aron Baynes suffered a sprained ankle in the contest and would be questionable for the second half of the back-to-back set, potentially paving the way for Marjanovic to serve as the top backup to starting center Andre Drummond.

Marjanovic (coach's decision) failed to see the court in a 102-101 win over the Raptors on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Marjanovic appeared as though he might challenge Aron Baynes for backup duties at center after logging double-digit minutes in three straight contests from Jan. 10 to Jan. 13, but he's since fallen back out of the rotation in favor of Baynes. The 7-foot-3 Serbian has appeared in only three of the Pistons' last 13 games, logging no more than five minutes in any of those contests.

Marjanovic totaled 13 points (5-7 FG, 3-3 FT), 11 rebounds and two assists over 16 minutes in Thursday's 127-107 loss to the Warriors.

EDGE Analysis

The big man saw his second-highest amount of minutes on the season, and accordingly, produced his second-best point total of the campaign. Marjanovic has now posted a double-double in the two of the last four games, a stretch in which he's played double-digit minutes in each contest. Given his solid production, proficiency from the foul line as compared to starter Andre Drummond, and strong work on the boards, Marjanovic could be carving out a consistent place for himself in the Pistons' frontcourt rotation.

Marjanovic played less than a minute in Sunday's 125-124 double-overtime win over the Trail Blazers, accruing no stats.

EDGE Analysis

The Pistons took advantage of the 7-foot-3 Marjanovic's length in order to make it difficult for the Blazers to get a potential go-ahead shot up during their final possession in the second overtime period, but for all intents and purposes, the center was out of the rotation Sunday. Coach Stan Van Gundy indicated before the contest that he hadn't determined whether Marjanovic or Aron Baynes, who returned from a two-game absence due to an ankle sprain, would stick as the main backup to starting center Andre Drummond, and if Sunday's game was any indication, Baynes will handle those duties. Baynes only played six minutes, but he's been serving as the main backup when healthy all season, though the gap between him and Marjanovic on the depth chart may have closed after Marjanovic turned in a 15-point, 19-rebound double-double in Thursday's win over the Hornets.

Marjanovic could work as the Pistons' backup center again Sunday against the Trail Blazers despite the return of fellow reserve Aron Baynes, Rod Beard of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Marjanovic played 22 minutes in the Pistons' last game with Baynes sidelined, and he responded by posting his first double-double of the season. Baynes has typically served as the Pistons' backup center behind Andre Drummond, but head coach Stan Van Gundy said pregame that Marjanovic's performance the last time out could earn him an expanded role again Sunday night.

Marjanovic posted 15 points (3-4 FG, 9-11 FT), 19 rebounds and a block in 22 minutes during Thursday's 115-114 win over Charlotte.

EDGE Analysis

Thursday was a massive breakout performance from Marjanovic. He logged season highs in minutes, points, rebounds, and made free throws. With starting center Andre Drummond shooting 45.5 percent from the line, head coach Stan Van Gundy might gravitate more towards Marjanovic, shootin 72.7 percent from the stripe this year, when team's try to "Hack-a-Drummond." Look for Marjanovic to buy himself more court time after Thursday's showing.

Marjanovic played seven minutes and produced six points (3-6 FG), two rebounds, two blocks and one steal across seven minutes in a 113-82 loss to the Bulls on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

With the Pistons trailing by 35 points at halftime, Marjanovic was a standout performer when garbage time arrived in the second half. Coach Stan Van Gundy hinted after the game that rotation changes could be afoot for the Pistons, but the team's regular center tandem of Andre Drummond and Aron Baynes shouldn't be impacted. As a result, Marjanovic's appearances figure to be largely limited to blowout games.

Marjanovic (coach's decision) didn't see the floor in Friday's 108-97 win over the Clippers.

EDGE Analysis

Marjanovic was a per-minute monster last season with the Spurs, but he has yet to be unleashed during his brief tenure with the Pistons. His standing as the team's third-string center -- along with the fact that the Pistons haven't rolled to nearly as many blowout wins as the 2015-16 Spurs -- hasn't afforded Marjanovic many opportunities while he remains outside of coach Stan Van Gundy's rotation. Assuming both Andre Drummond and Aron Baynes remain healthy for the bulk of the campaign, Marjanovic may not be able to claim regular minutes until 2017-18, as Baynes will become a free agent this summer and may be too pricey for the Pistons to retain him.