Is there any way Pistons’ loss to Mavericks doesn’t begin four-game losing streak?

The Pistons got killed on the glass (50-39), but it would have been worse if not for Monroe. He also scored effectively, notching his fifth-career game with so many points and rebounds.

38 MIN | 14-20 FG | 3-4 FT | 3 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 3 BLK | 4 TO | 32 PTS | -2

A strong post-up game formed the base of Smith’s offensively successful night, and making his jumper complemented it. When Smith prioritizes getting inside, that limits what can go wrong. His risk-reward gauge on passes, though, needs a big overhaul. Smith makes some of the Pistons’ most impressive passes, but for each one, he has too many turnovers. Smith didn’t score in the final 16:40 of the game, though he at least defended well in that final stretch. Still, he finished with 32 points, a season high

34 MIN | 3-8 FG | 0-2 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 7 PTS | -4

Singler had his worst offensive game since becoming a starter, though I somewhat attribute that to the bar being superficially high. I don’t believe he’s anything more than an OK offensive fit with the other four starters. I think he just went through a random hot streak that coincided with his move into the starting lineup. A Jennings-Singler-Smith-Monroe-Drummond lineup remains awful offensively, though.

20 MIN | 3-6 FG | 2-4 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 8 PTS | -7

Drummond started strong (by playing like himself), but once he got into foul trouble, he never recovered. He was just too timid, too disjointed after long stretches on the bench. Drummond must learn to play with foul trouble and have a confidence to keep playing his game. His coach can help with that, though I’ll cover that in the John Loyer section.

29 MIN | 1-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 2 PTS | -14

Jennings left before the midpoint of the third quarter and didn’t return until the Pistons trailed by nine with 3:23 left in the game. Loyer isn’t showing trust in him late, and the way Jennings played earlier, there was no reason to.

10 MIN | 1-2 FG | 3-3 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 5 PTS | -9

Jerebko was lively on both ends, a welcome sight. His strong cuts, whether as the roll man in a screen-and-roll or crashing the glass, stood out.

32 MIN | 7-12 FG | 3-4 FT | 4 REB | 8 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 17 PTS | -4

The Mavericks played Bynum to crash relentlessly to the rim, but he showed a hesitation game that really helped him set up his teammates well. Bynum also hit his long 2s for an overall impressive offensive game against a defense that took away his bread and butter.

14 MIN | 2-5 FG | 1-2 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 5 PTS | -7

Look who finally put up some numbers. He was probably about net-neutral, anyway, but at least the effort is more apparent.

24 MIN | 2-9 FG | 5-5 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 9 PTS | +1

Stuckey is a willing transition passer, but once the Pistons get into their halfcourt offense, he’s looking to score.

A combination of a high willingness to help, switching on pick and rolls and zone defense had the Pistons facing several mismatches defensively, and the Mavericks took advantage. That’s what Dallas does, and Loyer didn’t turn the tide by outcoaching Rick Carlisle – not that anyone expected Loyer to have the upper hand tonight. Loyer must also allow Drummond to play confidently with foul trouble. These quick hooks help nobody. Drummond just gets out rhythm, and when he plays, he’s too passive. Not to mention the Pistons go long stretches without their best player on the floor. Drummond didn’t even foul out anyway. What are you saving him for? At least Loyer had the Pistons, who are steadily slipping from playoff contention, playing hard once again.

Up Next: vs. Golden State on Monday, at San Antonio on Wednesday, at Houston on Saturday. The Pistons will be big underdogs in each of those games.