RSS Pistons Team Notes

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Jazz Discussion: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

The Detroit Pistons are looking for their eighth win in nine games, with the only loss an overtime disappointment to the Dallas Mavericks. Standing in their way will be a struggling Utah Jazz team. They have lost four in a row, and they can lay all those losses at the hands of a dreadful defensive showing.

The Jazz have the second-worst defense in the NBA, and it is somehow getting worse by the day. In that four-game losing streak, the Jazz have surrendered 143, 128, 135, and 137 points, respectively. They can score, and the Pistons must ensure that no one explodes and gives the Jazz a fighting chance. Keep Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George in check, and Detroit should be able to cruise to a victory. If you let one or both go off for 35 points, it could be a long night.

Game Vitals​

When: 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -9

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (24-6)​

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Utah Jazz (10-19)​

Keyonte George, Svi Mykhailuk, Ace Baily, Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkic

Question of the Game​

What is the best sports-related Christmas gift you’ve ever received?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...vs-jazz-discussion-game-time-tv-odds-and-more

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Under the Hood: Game 31 at Jazz

Under the Hood – it’s time to see what’s really going on inside this Pistons team.

Firing on All Cylinders

Cade had one of his best games of the season last night as he finished with 29 points, five rebounds, 17 assists, two steals, and two blocks.

He was aggressive getting to the rim.

View Link

He was knocking down off-ball three-pointers.

View Link

When in doubt, he can always get to his trusty midrange step back.

View Link

He made some great reads in the halfcourt offense, too.

View Link

And this lob to Ausar was a thing of beauty.

View Link

Transmission Trouble

If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s Keyonte George’s game-winner.

View Link

It’s crazy to think they had a chance at winning the game after a turnover like this just a minute beforehand.

View Link

Here was Cade’s game-winning attempt at the buzzer. Looks like hitting Duncan Robinson in the corner was an option on this play as well.

View Link

Mechanic’s Note

The hot topic of tonight’s game is Ausar’s minutes.

Thompson played in just under 16 minutes last night – he was subbed out after playing in the first four minutes of the second half, and then he never saw the court again. He’s noticeably missing from that final defensive possession with Caris LeVert in his place.

Jaden Ivey was another player that didn’t see any fourth quarter minutes. He hit that 14-minute mark once again, but it would be nice to see Ivey get some playing time in the clutch – minutes restriction or not.

It almost feels like Daniss Jenkins played the minutes that would’ve gone to Ivey down the stretch. Daniss didn’t hit the court until the four-minute mark of the third quarter, and he even saw two different fourth quarter stretches when Cade needed a breather.

Javonte Green played the final five minutes and Caris LeVert played the final four. Duncan Robinson was subbed out for LeVert and then didn’t see the court until the final offensive possession.

I’m not sure if Ausar was injured, sick, or in JB Bickerstaff’s doghouse, but Thompson was built for playing defense on final possessions like that and it’s a bummer we didn’t get to see him guard Keyonte there.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pistons-videos/48805/under-the-hood-game-31-at-jazz

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Clippers preview: Get out in transition

The Detroit Pistons dropped a close one to the Utah Jazz, then the Jazz turned around and beat the San Antonio Spurs on a back-to-back. That’s the league for you.

The Pistons can get back on track against the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. The Clippers looked like a tanking squad, but they have a pulse now.

Kawhi Leonard and James Harden have the Clippers playing their best ball of the season, but they’re still a dreadful transition and defensive team.

Defensively, it’s a challenge to get back for LA. Offensively, the Clippers are efficient in transition but dead last in how often they get on the break. Those flaws are something Detroit should aim to exploit.

Game Vitals​

When: 9 p.m. ET

Where: Intuit Dome, Los Angeles, California

Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit

Odds: Pistons -3

Analysis​

Detroit had 18 fast break points against the Jazz — identical to their season average. There will be more chances against the Clippers.

LA’s transition defense issues didn’t start this year. The coaching staff believed transition defense was the main culprit in their first-round series loss to the Denver Nuggets last year. These shirts haven’t made a difference at all.

The Clippers rank 27th in opponent fast-break points. That’s a perfect recipe for the young guns in Detroit. Make this a game of youth and legs. Force the older guys to run.

37-year-old Brook Lopez has started the last two games, and it’s safe to say he’s made an impact. He buried *nine* 3s in their last outing. He’s been the ultimate 3-and-D big in the second portion of his career. Another game to track Jalen Duren’s play against stretch bigs. I’d say he’s been much better in those matchups than years past.

Foul trouble limited Duren against the Jazz, so he should be fired up, ready to abuse the Clippers. With Ivica Zubac out for the foreseeable future, Lopez is the only center on this Clippers roster with extended NBA experience. We need dominant Duren.

Harden has turned back the clock, averaging 26.3 points — his highest average since he averaged 34 in 2020. He’s a special player. All the special guys draw Ausar Thompson, and twin is coming off a brief 15-minute outing. I’d bet he’s eager to get back on the floor immediately.

Ty Lue-led Clippers teams can usually count on having a good to great defense. Not this year. Their overall defense is as bad as their transition D. The Clippers are the 28th-ranked defense on the season with garbage time filtered out.

They’ve played better the last two weeks (3-2 record, No. 7 offense), but their defense is still below league average during their best stretch of basketball.

This used to be a matchup where I’d think “yeah, they have the defensive infrastructure to muck it up for Cade”. I’m not there anymore, as the want-to and personnel aren’t the same for the little brothers in LA. Cade will be out for blood looking to avenge that last-second miss in Salt Lake City.

Kawhi Leonard can ramp up the defense in big moments, but he’s not his 2014 self anymore. It’s just good to see him on the floor. He’s averaging 26 a game like Harden, but Kawhi is shooting a bonkers 98.2 percent from the FT line. José Calderón holds the all-time record at 98.1 percent. Kawhi is more than in range.

All in all, the Pistons have a lot of things working in their favor in this matchup. Force the Clippers to run and score when advantageous opportunities present themselves. These Clippers aren’t a heavy second effort team — the antithesis of these Pistons.

Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (24-7)

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Los Angeles Clippers (9-21)

James Harden, Kris Dunn, Kawhi Leonard, John Collins, Brook Lopez

Question of the Day​

JB Bickerstaff is the best Pistons coach since?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...ons-vs-clippers-preview-get-out-in-transition

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Under the Hood: Game 32 at Clippers

Under the Hood – it’s time to see what’s really going on inside this Pistons team.

Firing on All Cylinders

There wasn’t a whole lot to enjoy in this one, but Jalen Duren showed multiple flashes of expanding his game in the first half.

We’ve seen him take this jumper a few times now when his defender sags down at the top of the key.

View Link

A shot like this next one is where I think he could really help the offense. Even the threat of a 15-foot catch-and-shoot jumper can pull the center away from the rim.

View Link

Adding a floater to his offensive bag is a great idea, too.

View Link

Last, I didn’t think this was a great look, but JD was obviously confident as he knocks down his third jumper in the first half.

View Link

Transmission Trouble

Kawhi Leonard exploded for a career-high 55 points and he did it on an absurdly low 26 shots.

How are you stopping him when he’s making shots like these?

View Link
View Link
View Link

He was on a mission last night and I’m not sure anyone could’ve stopped him.

Mechanic’s Note

Jaden Ivey Minutes Watch is back on.

He played 29 minutes last night! That’s his highest mark so far this season and only the second time he’s seen over 20 minutes. Only Cunningham and Duren saw more playing time than Ivey after he played roughly 14 minutes in four of the previous five games.

He struggled from the field, but he nailed two of his five three-point attempts – and this is the area I think the team could use him the most. He is currently the team’s best three-point shooter (39.6%) ahead of Duncan Robinson (38.7%), Caris LeVert (38.4%), and Isaiah Stewart (36.6%).

View Link
View Link

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pistons-videos/48846/under-the-hood-game-32-at-clippers

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Clippers Discussion: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

The Los Angeles Clippers were supposed to be a bit of an underrated darling this season. With fewer expectations but a level of star talent, NBA nerds argued they could surprise. Well, their season got off to that kind of promise, anyway. The Clippers won three of their first five games. Then they said, “Hello darkness, my old friend.” Over their next 22 games, they managed to win just three. With no control over their own picks and a roster looking like one of the worst in the league, it got really dark in Clipperland. They have righted the ship a bit, winning three in a row. That means, just like with the Utah Jazz, the Detroit Pistons can’t afford to take this team lightly. Of course, the Pistons took the Jazz lightly and lost. They also seemed relatively disgusted with their level of effort. We will see if that self-recrimination and an off day for practice have helped them lock back in. Otherwise, this will be turning into a pretty sad end-of-the-year road trip.

Game Vitals​

When: 9 p.m. ET
Where: Intuit Dome, Los Angeles, California
Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -3

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (24-7)​

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Los Angeles Clippers (9-21)​

James Harden, Kris Dunn, Kawhi Leonard, John Collins, Brook Lopez

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detroit-pistons-game-day/48840/__trashed

 

[Detroit Pistons]

The Pindown I Winning Out West

The Pistons are off to a strong start on their West Coast road trip this holiday season. Though they are 2-1 so far, there have been a couple of items that could have put the team on Santa’s naughty list. Wes and Blake come to you all after the close loss to the Utah Jazz to discuss what went wrong and what went right in that game. They give Cade Cunningham his flowers for an incredible night and break down the impact a poor night from Detroit’s center position has. The guys also discuss the defense on Utah’s game-winning shot, and they dive into a big question — is Detroit getting a bad whistle? Finally, the guys speculate about Jaden Ivey’s minutes restriction and answer a voicemail about Cade Cunningham and Luka Doncic.

We’ve got you covered for all this and more in this week’s episode!

Detroit Bad Boys YouTube

Follow Wes Davenport on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheRealWesD3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Blake Silverman on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BlakeSilverman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Detroit Bad Boys on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DetroitBadBoys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to hear your voice on the Pindown? Call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(313) 355-2717⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and leave your question as a voicemail! The guys will play your message and answer your question on that week’s episode! All we ask is that you keep your questions to under 45 seconds.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detroit-pistons-podcasts/48828/the-pindown-i-winning-out-west

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Lakers preview: It’s going to be a late night

The Pistons take on the Lakers for the first time this season and it will be on National TV on NBC or Peacock. However, if you live on the East Coast, this is one of the NBA’s new late night games with a 10:30 start time. But, since the Grizzlies and 76ers play at 8 pm on NBC, there is a very real possibility we are looking at an even later start time. Hopefully you have tomorrow off of work for New Years Eve if you plan to stay up to watch this one.

The Lakers have been very up-and-down lately, but so have the Pistons. One thing the Pistons have going for them is that Austin Reaves will be out for a few weeks due to a calf strain. The Lakers still have Luka and LeBron and will be looking for revenge after the Pistons swept the season series against the Lakers last season.

If you can make it through the night, this should be a good game.

Game Vitals​

Where: crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA
When: Tuesday, December 30 at 10:30 pm EST
Watch: NBC/Peacock or Fan Duel Sports Network
Odds: Pistons (-2.5)

Analysis​

In addition to the aforementioned absence of Austin Reaves, the Lakers will also be without Rui Hachimura, which will make the task of beating the Lakers much easier given the season Reaves is having and the importance Hachimura is to the Lakers for depth.

The story of the game is and always will be slowing down Luka Doncic, which is a near impossible task. This will be the first time the Pistons face the Lakers since the shocking Luka trade last season. Luka enters this game almost leading the Lakers in points, rebounds, and assists, but DeAndre Ayton has a slight edge in rebounding. He is a triple-double threat anytime he touches the court, but more importantly for the Pistons, he will live at the free throw line if you aren’t careful.

Luka enters this game averaging a career-high 11.7 Free Throws per game, which could be disastrous for a team like the Pistons that have a tendency to foul a lot. Cade Cunningham has been slowed down by fouls in a few of the games on this West road trip, so I would expect the Pistons to avoid having Cade guard Luka.

You cannot talk about the Lakers without at least mentioning LeBron James. He appears to be finally be getting hit by Father Time just a little bit, as he averages career-lows across the board in his age-41 season. It was bound to happen eventually, but the fact that he is still averaging 21/7/5 on the season and that is viewed as “getting hit by Father Time” is nothing short of impressive. He leaves a lot to be desired on the defensive end, but if the Pistons are not careful he is capable of having a throwback performance.

Outside of those two, there are not a ton of threats that the Pistons need to worry about on the Lakers. Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura are arguably the Lakers two best players outside of LeBron and Luka and in the case of Reaves, he is 2nd behind Luka. I will give a quick shout to Marcus Smart, who always seems to have his greatest shooting performances against the Pistons.

DeAndre Ayton is having a solid season, but he is the kind of big that won’t give Jalen Duren fits since he does not stretch the floor and plays a very similar game to Duren.

Join the conversation!​

Sign up for a user account and get:

• Fewer ads
• Create community posts
• Comment on articles, community posts
• Rec comments, community posts
• New, improved notifications system!

The key for the Pistons is going to be getting any semblance of shooting back. Lost in the 55 point masterclass that Kawhi Leonard put up on Sunday against the Pistons is the fact that the Pistons did not make a 3-pointer in the 1st half. That is just one game after they made a season-high 18 threes against the Utah Jazz. But, if you have been paying attention to the Pistons at all this season, you know that the Clippers performance is closer to the norm than the Jazz performance.

With the Pistons defense dropping off a bit over the last few weeks, their lack of ability to put the ball in the basket outside of the paint is really getting exposed and causing them problems. The Lakers aren’t a great defensive team, so this is hopefully a chance to get things back on track. However, if the Pistons continue to miss open jumpers, which a lot of them were against the Clippers on Sunday, it isn’t going to matter how much resistance they are getting.

The Pistons are only 9-6 over their last 13 games, which is how many games they have played since their 14-game winning streak came to an end. It is still better than expected for this season, but a disappointment given how the team started.

This is the final night of a West Coast road trip in which the Pistons are 2-2. Given the schedule they faced on this road trip, returning home with a record of 2-3 would be a huge disappointment, so this is a must-win game as the Pistons have also seen their lead in the East fall down to 1 game.

Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (24-8): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Los Angeles Lakers (20-10): Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, LeBron James, DeAndre Ayton

Question of the Day​

Are you concerned with how the Pistons have played on this West Coach trip or is it just the usual East-to-West traveling struggles?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...s-lakers-preview-its-going-to-be-a-late-night

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Lakers final score: Dominant fourth gets Detroit the W

Cade Cunningham was dominant, and Marcus Sasser was the brightest spark on a bench full of them in a dominant 128-106 win for the Pistons. The win ends a brief two-game losing streak for Detroit and allows the Pistons to end a grueling stretch that sw them play eight road games in their last nine on a positive note.

The Pistons were simply too much for the Lakers to handle on the offensive end. Detroit was getting anything they wanted, and what they wanted was to get easy looks in the paint. Detroit had more than 40 paint points in the first half alone and finished the game with 74 points inside.

Cunningham was brilliant — 27 points and 11 assists on 63% shooting from the floor. Cade might have been overshadowed, however, by Marcus Sasser. It was a surpise to see Sass get first-quarter minutes, but Caris LeVert was out and Detroit lost Tobias Harris early (hip injury) so Detroit turned to the third-year guard.

Sasser, who missed most of the early part of the season with a hip injury of his own and found himself losing rotation minutes to Dannis Jenkins didn’t let this opportunity go to waste. Sasser did what he does. He used his explosive first step to create room for himself to get his perimeter shot away. Sasser scored 19 points, hit four threes, had five assists, and inexplicably led the team in foul shots with five.

The bench has been a bright spot for the Pistons all season, and it really underlined where the Pistons and Lakers find themselves this season. Detroit has a young, talented bench and can mine depth at nearly every position. The Lakers had 24 points outside of garbage time while Detroit had 50. On a night when both teams’ stars had it going — Cade with 27 and Luka Doncic with 30, it is the benches that allow the Pistons to be first in the East while the Lakers are fighting to stay above the play-in fray.

The Pistons seemingly dominated the first half, but only led by five at the break thanks to the Lakers’ penchant for getting easy points at the charity stripe. It didn’t get any easier for most of the second half. The game was tied at 79 apiece midway through the third quarter. The Pistons had a ton of players in foul trouble, no answer for Doncic, and the crowd was getting into it.

Detroit dug deep and the Lakers folded. It was actually a shock how easily the Lakers seemed to decide they were destined to lose this one. One moment they were playing hard and scraping together quality looks, and the next minute it was a blowout. It seemes they decided if they couldn’t grift their way to free throw looks, they had no chance. Perhaps they were right.

On a night when just about everyone played well, it’s worth shouting out some of Detroit’s other players. Jalen Duren was a beast early, providing rim pressure, skilled footwork, and defensive pressure. He finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, and five steals. Isaiah Stewart had 15 points off the bench, Jaden Ivey scored nine, including some tough looks at the rim through multiple defenders, and Ron Holland was a tone setter and needed scorer during a crucial stretch of the third with Cunningham on the bench. He had 11 points and seven rebounds while playing the “best” defense against Doncic. In other words, he got baited into the least number of fouls.

The Pistons are almost ready to go home with an opportunity to sleep in their own beds for a while. Detroit plays 10 of their next 12 at Little Caesars Arena. First they go to LCA to play Miami on Thursday and then hit the road yet again for a tilt against the Cavs. Then it’s home for six straight.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...inal-score-dominant-fourth-gets-detroit-the-w

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Lakers Discussion: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

Step one for the Detroit Pistons tonight as they face the Los Angeles Lakers — do not let an opponent score a career-high. That was something they were unable to avoid in Sunday’s loss to Los Angeles Clippers via a Kawhi Leonard’s 55-point masterclass. Detroit is also looking to avoid its first three-game losing streak of the season. They have responded well to adversity throughout the season, but the offense is struggling to find consistent production outside of Cade Cunningham, and they are giving their opponents too many easy opportunities at the free-throw line. The Pistons have surrendered a combined 49 points in their two consecutive losses to the Jazz and Clippers, respectively. Detroit is likely weary and anxious to get home, but they have to lock in one more time to put this losing streak behind them. The Pistons have been effectively traveling for two consecutive weeks — seven road games with one home visit sandwiched in between. The Lakers’ defense is vulnerable, transition opportunities should be available, and it will require Detroit to go all out.

Game Vitals​

When: 10:30 p.m. ET
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Watch: NBC, Peacock, Fan Duel Sports Network
Odds: Pistons -2.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (24-8)

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Los Angeles Lakers (20-10)

Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, LeBron James, DeAndre Ayton

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...-lakers-discussion-game-time-tv-odds-and-more

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Under the Hood: Game 33 at Lakers

Under the Hood – it’s time to see what’s really going on inside this Pistons team.

Firing on All Cylinders

Happy 41st Birthday, LeBron – the Pistons’ gift to you is sending you home with a loss.

Cade Cunningham led the way for Detroit with 27 points and 11 assists while shooting 12-for-19 from the field, including this three after dropping Jake LaRavia.

View Link

Marcus Sasser saw a season-high 24 minutes and added 19 points and five assists while shooting 4-for-6 from deep. It was by far Sasser’s best game of the season.

View Link

Isaiah Stewart made all six of his field goal attempts, including one three, to the tune of 15 points. He’s usually producing at least one highlight reel block at the rim per game now. Watch as how he begins the possession by guarding the pick-and-roll, but then he becomes a weak side rim protector once the ball rotates over to the other side of the court.

View Link

Jalen Duren had 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and five steals while continuing to show off his improved offensive game. He made this post turnaround jumper look easy.

View Link

Ron Holland chipped in 11 points and was second on the team in rebounds with seven in 19 minutes off the bench.

View Link

Transmission Trouble

The Pistons’ west coast road trip has ended at 3-2 with wins over the Trail Blazers, Kings, and Lakers with losses from the Jazz and Clippers. While it’s great to come out of the road trip as a winning team, the two losses were from Western Conference teams that aren’t even in the picture to make the play-in spots.

Also, it looks like the team could be without Tobias Harris for a little.

Tobias Harris (Left Hip Sprain) will not return vs. Lakers.

— Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) December 31, 2025

Isaiah Stewart started the second half at Power Forward in place of Tobias.

Mechanic’s Note

An updated look at the NBA standings:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 28-5
2. Detroit Pistons – 25-8
3. San Antonio Spurs – 23-9
4. New York Knicks – 23-9
5. Denver Nuggets – 22-10
6. Houston Rockets – 20-10
7. Los Angeles Lakers – 21-12
8. Minnesota Timberwolves – 21-12
9. Boston Celtics – 20-12
10. Toronto Raptors – 20-14

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pistons-videos/48870/under-the-hood-game-33-at-lakers

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Heat final score: Detroit can’t overcome 22-point deficit

In their first game back after their five-game west coast road trip, the Pistons couldn’t defend their home court as Norman Powell and the Miami Heat brought their physical brand of basketball to Detroit. Even with Cade’s 31-point near triple double, it wouldn’t be enough as Miami would defeat Detroit 118-112.

Both Tobias Harris (left hip) and Caris LeVert (left knee) would miss tonight’s game due to injury, and Isaiah Stewart started in place of Tobias. Detroit started strong, but a 14-0 Miami run near the end of the first quarter would see the Heat take the lead early.

Detroit clawed back in the second quarter behind the defensive effort of Isaiah Stewart who tied his career-high in blocks, but a Jalen Duren rolled ankle before the end of the half made an already thin big-man room even thinner as Paul Reed would have to finish the game for JD.

Marcus Sasser and Paul Reed gave the team good minutes with injuries to the players in front of them in the rotation, and Sass particularly had another strong game. He played 24 minutes and was second in the team in scoring with 18 points to go along with four made three-pointers. After Sasser, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren both had 12 points while Javonte Green added 11.

Cade led the way with 31 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and two blocks. He only made six of his 16 shots, but he shot a whopping 18 free throws and only missed one of them. It was another game for Cade with high turnovers (7), but another that also showed the need for another offensive threat for him to share the court with.

Detroit struggled to guard Norman Powell as he led all Heat players with 36 points and was a blazing hot 7-for-14 from beyond the arc. Every time he pulled up for another three-pointer, it felt like it was going in.

The injury list is beginning to pile up again now that Jalen Duren has joined Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert. We’ll see if any of the three can get healthy before Detroit travels to Cleveland for a Sunday matinee at 3PM EST.

Go Stones.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...-score-detroit-cant-overcome-22-point-deficit

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Heat preview: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

The Detroit Pistons wrapped up a magical 2025 and face 2026 with the priority to make it even better. That won’t be easy for a team that already finds itself at the top of the Eastern Conference. However, when you listen to this team talk, it is clear that their sights are set high and they are not settling for the complacency of “just happy to be here.” They want a top seed, they want to go beyond, far beyond, the first round of the playoffs, and they want to make sure the rest of the NBA understands that Detroit is not going anywhere for a good long while. Their first test will be the Miami Heat, a muddled team with intriguing pieces, a very good defense, and a great coach still trying to understand if they can get all the pieces to fit together. Though they’ve won three in a row, the challenge is establishing a coherent identity on offense. Without the instant firepower of Tyler Herro, it’s proved to be difficult to put so much on the shoulders of Norm Powell with assistance from the big man duo of Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware.

Detroit will again be without veterans Caris LeVert and Tobias Harris, and the Harris injury is starting to sound like something that might be a longer-term issue, but more official information should be coming within the next day or so. That creates more consistent opportunities for the likes of Marcus Sasser and Ron Holland to show they belong on the floor. In either case, neither plays a boring brand of basketball.

Both the Pistons and the Heat thrive courtesy of defense, want to live in the paint, and get out on the break. That means there might be big runs, long scoring droughts, and an inability for either side to truly put the other team away. Sounds stressful!

Game Vitals​

When: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -4.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (25-8)​

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren

Miami Heat (18-15)​

Davion Mitchell, Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...ns-vs-heat-preview-game-time-tv-odds-and-more

 

[Detroit Pistons]

3-man Fastbreak: West coast swing

The Pistons wrapped up their West Coast trip with a 3–2 record, dropping a pair of games to Western Conference bottom-dwellers in Utah and Los Angeles. While both the Jazz and Clippers have been playing better basketball over the last couple of weeks, those losses still leave a bit of a sour taste.

Overall, it’s fair to label the trip a success—and there are some positives and negatives to take from it.

1. More shooting needed​

The Pistons have barreled through the first third of the season and sit atop the Eastern Conference despite not taking—or making—many threes. Detroit ranks 21st in three-point percentage (35%) and 27th in attempts per game (31.5). That lack of perimeter shooting has been masked by elite paint scoring and strong defensive play, but recent games have highlighted the limitations of that approach.

On the West Coast, Detroit found itself in early holes and didn’t have enough reliable outside shot-making to mount comebacks. When that happens, the Pistons often lean into their identity—out-muscling opponents and dominating the interior—but two points at a time only goes so far when facing double-digit deficits.

That raises a legitimate concern come playoff time. If Detroit falls behind, who becomes the spark plug that can shoot them back into games, especially when opponents tighten up defensively and clog the paint?

2. Depth still a weapon​

Marcus Sasser’s performance against the Lakers—19 points and five assists—was a friendly reminder of just how deep this Pistons roster is. While they may not match Oklahoma City’s depth top to bottom, Detroit’s ability to trust players at the end of the bench when injuries or situational needs arise is a significant advantage.

It also speaks to the mindset of players in smaller roles. Sasser and Dannis Jenkins have shown in spurts that when their number is called, they play with urgency and fearlessness—as if every minute matters. That mentality appears to permeate the locker room and has become a defining trait of this team.

3. Bickerstaff’s chaos lineup​

With the Pistons recently returning to full health, some players have seen their roles reduced compared to earlier in the season. That’s prompted head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to experiment when the team needs an energy jolt.

Against Dallas and Utah, when Detroit looked flat, Bickerstaff rolled out a lineup designed to create chaos: Dannis Jenkins, Marcus Sasser, Ron Holland II, Jevonte Green, and Paul Reed. Late in the third quarter against Utah, with the Pistons trailing by 14 and searching for momentum, the group flipped the energy of the game. Jenkins spearheaded the run, finishing with 11 points and a +15 plus-minus, and the lineup helped Detroit claw its way back into contention.

It’ll be worth monitoring whether Bickerstaff continues to deploy this group—or a version of it—moving forward, as it’s delivered results in both appearances so far.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/general/48880/3-man-fastbreak-west-coast-swing

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Heat preview: Kick off 2026 with a bang

The Detroit Pistons return home after going 3-2 on a successful West Coast road trip. Topping the Los Angeles Lakers with ease on national TV was a nice way to end the trip.

Detroit kicks off 2026 with a familiar foe in the Miami Heat. These teams have traded game winners over the last few years. This is a matchup between two coaches who squeeze the most out of the talent in their roster.

The Pistons and Heat are dealing with injuries, but the Heat play a different brand of ball with their star out. Miami loves to get up and down just as much as Detroit (even more).

These are the 2nd and 3rd-ranked defenses, but don’t be surprised if a lot of buckets are put up each way. Pace may be the name of the game in this one.

Game vitals​

When: 7:00 p.m. ET

Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan

How: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit

Odds: Pistons -5

Analysis​

Both the Pistons and Heat drag you into deep waters and make you play their brand of basketball. The Pistons suffocate you and take advantage of the turnovers they create. The Pistons are the third-best team scoring off opponents’ turnovers.

These Heat do the same thing but play even faster across the board. Not only are the Heat fourth in points off turnovers, but they also play with the fastest pace. That hasn’t equaled a *great* offense, but the Heat get so many scoring opportunities because they don’t stop. They never stop running, driving, and looking for outlet passes.

Their lone All-Star last year, Tyler Herro, is out of the lineup with a toe injury, but the Heat offense hasn’t missed a beat. They’ve scored 125 points or more in four of the last five games. Granted, none of those defenses were as special as Detroit’s.

The script is out on the Heat. They drive a ton, don’t set on-ball screens, and are looking to drive and kick. The Pistons’ elite on-ball defenders and scramble defense can offset the Heat’s attack.

It won’t be a simple task for Norman Powell and Jaime Jaquez Jr. to consistently get by the likes of Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland, and even Jaden Ivey. No blow-bys equals a stagnant Heat offense. Those guys have to step up with Tobias Harris doubtful.

Ivey’s play over the road trip was encouraging. He shot the leather off the ball (64% on 2.8 3PA). That volume has to go up, but the shotmaking remains steady like last season. Off-ball shooting, drawing and attacking closeouts, and off-ball defensive awareness are the skills that will make Ivey the long-term 2 in Detroit.

His backcourt mate has dominated the Heat. Cade Cunningham is averaging a near triple-double in the last three matchups, and his game-winner over Bam Adebayo is arguably No. 1 on his career highlights so far.

Andrew Wiggins is a sturdy defender who will take that matchup, but look for Miami to run some zone. The combination of the Pistons’ shooting (35% on 3s, 21st) and Miami’s tendency to go zone means we’ll probably see that sprinkled in tonight.

The battle of the bigs is an intriguing matchup. Jalen Duren and Adebayo could be the bigs who represent America in the 2028 Olympics, along with Chet Holmgren. Both Duren and Adebayo are undersized centers height-wise who make up for it with top-level athleticism and Hulk builds.

Duren is All-Star bound, Adebayo is not. Adebayo will probably finish top five in DPOY voting, but you want more scoring from a guy who will be making over $50M in 2027.

Kel’el Ware becoming more of a vocal point takes the spotlight off Adebayo’s scoring woes. Ware has work to do as a rim protector (discipline, not chasing blocks), but you cannot leave him open. Ware is shooting 47 percent on three 3-point attempts. He’s been a sniper at that size.

Erik Spoelstra built momentum to obtain his first coach of the year award with the Heat’s quick start, but JB Bickerstaff is all over that now.

COY is basically the “hey, I didn’t think your team would be that good” award, and nobody fits that bill more than Bickerstaff. How these great coaches counter each other’s schemes today should be brilliant.

Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (25-8)​

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart , Jalen Duren

Miami Heat (18-15)​

Davion Mitchell, Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware

Question of the day​

Simone Fontecchio returns to Detroit today (questionable). Do you find yourself rooting for former Pistons individual success?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...ons-vs-heat-preview-kick-off-2026-with-a-bang

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Submit your questions for The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast

Send in your questions now for this week’s episode of The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast to discuss everything Pistons. Submit your question to the comments section here or on X/Twitter to @TheRealWesD3 and/or @blakesilverman.

Join us live on Sunday morning for the show where we’ll discuss the Pistons’ week of games. How can the Pistons address their recent defensive struggles? Is the early-season success sustainable for the rest of the way or does a move need to be made? If so, what’s the team’s biggest need?

Plus, The Pindown has a phone line where you can leave a message and hear your voice on the show. Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message around 45 seconds or less so we can fit everyone into the show.

The podcast will be uploaded to all audio platforms the following morning.

The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast Vitals:​

When: Sunday January 4 at 9:15 a.m. ET

Where: Detroit Bad Boys YouTube Channel

How to submit questions:

• Detroit Bad Boys Website: Comment section of the weekly Pindown episode articles.
• Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message to 45 seconds or less.
• Twitter: @detroitbadboys, @blakesilverman or @therealwesd3
• YouTube: Chat section of The Pindown live recording — Subscribe here

As always, leave any questions or topics you want to be discussed in the comment section below.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...ons-for-the-pindown-a-detroit-pistons-podcast

 

[Detroit Pistons]

The Pindown I Let’s Start the New Year Right

Happy New Year!

It’s 2026 and the Pistons still sit atop the Eastern Conference after a bit of a slip-up to end 2025, losing 3 of their last 4. Wes and Blake jump on before the Pistons play the Cavaliers to discuss the unfortunate injuries to Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren, and how the team might fill those roles during their absences. They also break down their New Year’s Resolutions for the players on the roster. What should Jaden Ivey focus on in 2026? Should Isaiah Stewart expand into the starting Power Forward spot? How can Jalen Duren establish himself as the true second star on this team?

We’ve got you covered for all this and more in this week’s episode!

View Link

Detroit Bad Boys YouTube

Follow Wes Davenport on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheRealWesD3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Blake Silverman on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BlakeSilverman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Detroit Bad Boys on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DetroitBadBoys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to hear your voice on the Pindown? Call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(313) 355-2717⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and leave your question as a voicemail! The guys will play your message and answer your question on that week’s episode! All we ask is that you keep your questions to under 45 seconds.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...6/the-pindown-i-lets-start-the-new-year-right

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Knicks final score: Motor City dominates the Big Apple

Yeah – that was the most fun game of the season so far.

It was the first return to Little Caesars Arena for the New York Knicks since defeating the Detroit Pistons 4-2 in last year’s first round playoff series. Jalen Brunson’s crossover and jumper against Ausar Thompson was the finale to the Pistons’ season, and I’m sure Detroit had this one circled on their calendar.

This one didn’t disappoint.

Detroit was once again without Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren in the starting lineup, along with Caris LeVert off the bench. New York was actually favored in this game despite being the away team with a worse record.

The Dawg Pound Duo of Isaiah Stewart and Paul Reed started again for the second straight game and they were able to get out to a quick 11-3 start. The first quarter turned into a battle of the point guards as both Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson had 12 points as they methodically attacked the opposing defense.

After taking a 33-29 lead, Daniss Jenkins continued to show he belongs as an NBA guard with a couple of jumpers, back-to-back blocks, and a couple of nice assists to Paul Reed and Jaden Ivey. Detroit had a 55-50 lead with just over two minutes left and was able to push the lead to ten before the half.

That’s when Detroit turned it up on both ends of the court. They held New York to only 15 points in the third quarter as the Pistons continued to shoot above 60% from the field. Cade had a role in all of Detroit’s first 14 points and had a monster of a chase down block on Miles McBride. He was shooting directly over McBride and Brunson like they weren’t even there.

Cade had 29 points and 9 assists at the end of the third as Detroit took a 20-point lead heading into the fourth. JB Bickerstaff was able to empty his bench by the of the game as Detroit would go on to dominate New York by 31 points on their way to a 121-90 win.

It was the greatest margin of victory for Detroit so far this season, and it was the lowest amount of points New York had put up all year. It was by far the best win of the season for the Pistons behind their MVP candidate Cade Cunningham who was clearly the best player on the floor.

Detroit’s defense deserves its own shoutout. New York’s starting lineup, outside of Brunson, combined to go 7-for-21 from the field for a total of 23 points. OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns felt nonexistent. Jalen Brunson had 25 points on 21 shots and the boo-birds were out every time he touched the ball. Oh, and he finished with zero assists – compare that to Cade’s 13.

Guards Daniss Jenkins (12), Javonte Green (17), and Jaden Ivey (16) had impactful scoring minutes off the bench. All three were incredibly efficient, and this was a particularly strong game for Ivey who looked comfortable getting to his spots and created multiple open looks for himself.

Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson played some great defense whether that was full court against Brunson or swatting attempts at the rim. The two combined to get 17 points and 16 rebounds, and there seemed to be a noticeable attempt by JB Bickerstaff tonight to use Ausar more as roller while Stew spaced the floor.

The Detroit Pistons are now 27-9 as they extend their Eastern Conference lead over the #2 New York Knicks at 23-13. Bing bong!

The team will spend the next two weeks in Detroit with five straight home games, and the next one will be Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls at 7PM EST.

Go Stones.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...inal-score-motor-city-dominates-the-big-apple

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Knicks Discussion: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

Tonight’s matchup, which saw the Detroit Pistons take on the New York Knicks, was supposed to be a statement game. The top two seeds in the Eastern Conference are squaring off, with the more established Knicks visiting a hungry, upstart Pistons team. This is the first matchup between these two teams since Detroit fell 4-2 in a hard-fought first-round playoff series.

I’m not saying it isn’t that, but the injury report has certainly put a damper on my enthusiasm and tea-leaf reading. Cade Cunningham was added to the injury report (though he is listed as probable) with a hip issue. Caris LeVert is listed as doubtful and isn’t expected to suit up. Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris, both starters, are out. The Knicks will be without Josh Hart, but otherwise have all the vital pieces of their rotation.

Of course, if there is one thing we’ve learned about these Pistons, it is that you should never count them out. They won 13 games in a row this season, many of them without multiple starters, and are the top seed for a reason. They are coming off a big win in Cleveland yesterday without Duren, Harris, and LeVert. There is no saying it can’t happen again.

Game Vitals​

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Peacock
Odds: Pistons +1

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (26-9)​

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Paul Reed, Isaiah Stewart

New York Knicks (23-12)​

Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...-knicks-discussion-game-time-tv-odds-and-more

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Under the Hood: Ausar’s Polarizing Play

Under the Hood – it’s time to see what’s really going on inside this Pistons team.

This is going to be a longer breakdown, but I promise it’s worth it.

Ausar Thompson has faced some criticism on social media recently, and it may be warranted. Over the last six games, he’s averaging 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in 25 minutes per game. Not bad, but he’s shooting 48% from the field, 0% from deep, and 59% from the line.

The percentages are bad, even if his recent free throw percentage is higher than his 55% on the season.

While watching yesterday’s afternoon battle with Cleveland, I noticed plenty of possessions that displayed the good and the bad of Ausar Thompson.

In 22 minutes of play against the Cavs, Ausar finished with eight points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block while shooting 4-for-9 from the field and 0-for-1 from deep.

Firing on All Cylinders

We all know the main reason Ausar is a starting-level forward in the NBA: he’s a defensive freak.

View Link

It’s his offensive game where there’s so much room for growth, yet he still finds ways to make an impact on that end. This part of his game is still a work in progress, but he is capable of creating shots for himself.

View Link

I can complain about the spacing on that possession, but we’ll save that for the second section. He’s still capable of making plays when the spacing isn’t great due to his passing ability. He’s the sole reason Stew was able to get an open layup on this one.

View Link

And when the spacing is great, he’s going to make the correct read to find the open man.

View Link

He’s best offensively when he’s given a downhill start towards the rim. That means using him as a roller or finding him on cuts – both of which he’s great at.

View Link
View Link

Transmission Trouble

Now we get into the part that makes Ausar so polarizing: he is a non-shooter. He’s currently shooting a career-high 28% from deep this season on a career-low 0.6 attempts per game.

View Link

I’m not sure which Cleveland defender is supposed to be guarding Ausar here, or if they’re in a zone, but Thompson goes from having an open three-pointer from the wing to getting stuffed at the rim by Evan Mobley. Frankly, we probably don’t want Ausar shooting threes if the opposing defense is willing to leave him open, but Cleveland certainly can’t defend that way if Ausar was a threat from deep.

View Link

I have a thousand complaints about this next possession:

1. Paul Reed and Duncan Robinson start in the same corner, so Duncan tells Paul to go to the opposite corner in the middle of a Cade/Stew pick-and-roll where Paul’s defender is then able to sit under the basket
2. Cade should’ve realized this beforehand and made sure everyone was spaced out before starting the pick-and-roll
3. Because Ausar cannot shoot, Sam Merrill has two feet in the paint to help on Stew rolling to the basket
4. When Ausar starts his drive, there are four Cleveland defenders with at least a foot in the paint, and Stew is posting up (?) in the middle of the lane, so this is a terrible drive with absolutely no spacing – mostly due to Detroit’s own fault

View Link

This standing layup against three Cavs defenders is just a terrible idea, though, Duncan Robinson is really the only Pistons player relocating along the three-point line to give Ausar an option to kick the ball out.

View Link

Mechanic’s Note

Last, even JB Bickerstaff seems to notice Ausar’s offensive limitations. Ausar wasn’t exactly a player JBB chose to close with as he subbed him out at 4:41 in the fourth quarter to run a lineup of Daniss/Cade/Duncan/Green/Stew.

View Link

JBB subbed Thompson back in for a defensive possession with 54 seconds left after a Detroit turnover, and Stew put on a DPOY masterclass on Donovan Mitchell.

View Link

On the ensuing offensive possession, Ausar is out there with no opportunity to sub Duncan back in, yet Ausar is able to tip-in Jenkins’ missed jumper for the dagger and game-winner over Cleveland – something Duncan Robinson definitely wouldn’t have done.

View Link

All this to say, this is why I find Ausar to be such a unique young player in this league. He has plenty of offensive limitations, and in my wishes for Detroit to be more of three-point shooting team, he’s not going to contribute there.

But he’s contributing on offense in his own ways. You can see the potential as a secondary playmaker with his ability to process defenses and make the right pass, but I also notice how his inability to shoot affects the spacing of the other four Detroit players on the court.

Because of these limitations, you have to play the Power Foward version of Duncan Robinson next to him. I believe you would need two defined shooters, one at SG and one at PF, to really make up for the lack of shooting that Ausar brings to the floor – especially when he’s sharing the court with Duren.

The starting frontcourt yesterday was Ausar, Stew, and Reed due to the injuries to Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren. Those three combined to shoot 0-for-3 from deep in 73 total minutes of play – that level of frontcourt spacing is not going to get it done in the playoffs.

I expect Trajan Langdon to address their lack of three-point shooting at the trade deadline.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pistons-videos/48909/under-the-hood-ausars-polarizing-play

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Bulls preview: Next man up means something here

The Detroit Pistons continue to do what they can to prove they’re legit contenders. They rocked the New York Knicks in front of the NBA world and have beaten any Eastern Conference team seen as a serious threat.

The Chicago Bulls aren’t seen in that light, but keep stacking good days. Detroit is 3.5 games ahead of the Boston Celtics; games like this can cushion that lead if they handle their business. Detroit has been getting contributions from all over the roster — next man up isn’t just a saying here.

Game vitals​

When: 7:00 p.m. ET

Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan

How: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit

Odds: Pistons -10.5

Analysis:​

The Pistons thumped their Central Division rival three straight times after losing the first matchup last year. A similar trend could be on the horizon this season as Detroit is looking to defeat the Bulls for a second straight time after dropping opening night to Chicago.

I personally love jumbo guard matchups. They’re the future of the league, and seeing them lock horns is great basketball. Cade Cunningham might carry that mantle alone tonight as Josh Giddey is out with an ankle injury, and Cade is listed as probable due to a right wrist contusion.

Giddey was arguably playing at an All-Star level before he went down. The 6-foot-8 creator averages 41.4 points created per Databallr (points + assists) and a monstrous 8.9 rebounds per game. Cade is just outside of the top-10 guard rebounders at 6.2 a contest.

Cade is creating even more than Giddey. Only Nikola Jokić (55.4) and Luka Dončić (53.8) create more points per game than Cade (49.7). Cade is a far better defender than those two, though. Especially guarding the ball.

Cade’s chasedown and helpside blocks garner social media praise and ignite the guys, but his willingness to sit in that chair as the best player on the team does so much for this young group’s energy. No one has an excuse when the top dog is locked in defensively.

The Bulls and Pistons are both young teams for the most part, but they go about their business differently in some ways. Both teams get on the break and make you pay, but the Bulls are dead last in isolation possessions. They run more of a swing swing swing offense as they rank No. 2 in passes per game.

While Detroit isn’t a heavy iso team as a whole, Cunningham has been a one-man wrecking crew, posting 1.10 PPP in isolation (Dončić clocks in at 1.12 PPP). Jalen Duren also cooks mismatches, scoring 1.15 on limited volume. He’ll be out again tonight. Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert are probable, but Detroit feels confident with whoever is in the lineup.

It hasn’t mattered who’s been in street clothes for this scrappy group. Duren is out? Okay, now you have to deal with more Isaiah Stewart minutes. He’s arguably the No. 1 pound-for-pound defender in basketball. Tobias Harris is out? Cool, now you need HOKA running shoes to chase the Pistons youth up and down the floor.

Daniss Jenkins remains on explosion-watch nightly, and Javonte Green was one of the more underrated offseason signings. He was made to be a Piston. All of these players step up when called upon. Teams pay lip service with the next man up talk, but the Pistons are living it. The schemes remain versatile with anyone playing, and that’s a testament to the buy-in JB Bickerstaff has gotten.

The Bulls’ move-the-ball philosophy remains the same with Giddey out of the lineup. You want to see your system still be implemented even with the star out; kudos to Billy Donovan for cultivating this culture that keeps every player involved.

That’s similar to Detroit, who bring their lunchbox and hard hat to work every night. JB Bickerstaff and Donovan have both gotten buy-in from their guys.

This style of play isn’t resulting in a ton of wins for Chicago, but the Bulls are in the infancy stage of their rebuild. They finally got off those massive contracts last year and should be looking to send Nikola Vučević elsewhere ASAP. Picks and young player progress are top priorities moving forward for the Bulls.

Matas Buzelis is having a solid second season. Besides Giddey, he’s their top asset, and this rebuild hinges on how good the springy 21-year-old can be.

Detroit couldn’t be in a more different position. They can’t afford developmental reps. Their timeline has officially been accelerated. This is no longer a cute team trying to find its place in the league. They’re good enough to win right now if the stars align. Every championship has some aspect of luck attached to it. But the prepared get lucky.

After clobbering the New York Knicks live on Peacock, the conversation around the Pistons is shifting. Daily sports TV shows are crowning them true contenders, FanDuel gives them the third-best odds to make it out of the East (Kicks and Celtics are beatable), and every team knows what type of contest they’re in with the Pistons across from them. It’s going to be an all-around ugly, gritty, grimy game, just like everyone who suits up for Detroit likes it.

Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (27-9)​

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Paul Reed, Isaiah Stewart,

Chicago Bulls (17-19)​

Tre Jones, Coby White, Isaac Okoro, Matas Buzelis, Nikola Vučević

Question of the day​

Should the Pistons make a trade, or is this team deep enough?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...ulls-preview-next-man-up-means-something-here