Brandon Jennings gets hot, helps Pistons hold off Bucks

Detroit Pistons 98, Milwaukee Bucks 95

Brandon Jennings – B

Brandon Knight had his hand in the last nine points of an 11-0 Milwaukee run in the third quarter – scoring the final five straight himself – before Jennings answered with 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions for Detroit to re-take the lead. Jennings, playing off the ball at that point, was even calling for the ball before he even crossed halfcourt on the second possession.

It was a much-needed burst for a Pistons team that might have withered in previous seasons. For Jennings – playing his previous team – it was especially gratifying.

With 16 points, six assists and only one turnover, Jennings’ solid game didn’t go unnoticed by Stan Van Gundy. The coach let Jennings play in the fourth quarter, a rare occurrence this season.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – B+

After a wretched start to the season, Caldwell-Pope (19 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-5 on 3-pointers) is hopefully on track now. Hopefully.

He made a big 3-pointer late, but he had an ugly final two minutes, missing both his shots and turning the ball over.

Josh Smith – C

Smith (14 points, 5-for-12 on 2s, 0-for-2 on 3s, 4-for-10 on 3s, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, a block and a steal) was active, but his energy didn’t always lead to positive outcomes. As long as Smith keeps playing hard, though, Van Gundy will give him the benefit of the doubt.

That paid off on the game’s biggest play, Smith converting a putback with 15 seconds left to put the Pistons – who seemed on the verge of blowing the game – up four points.

Greg Monroe – C+

Monroe (10 points and seven rebounds) fell back to earth after averaging 20.5 points and 14.5 rebounds in his first two games back from suspension. With four turnovers, he was too sloppy.

However, his defense was crisp. Monroe repeatedly made the right rotations, forcing the Bucks into one-shot possessions where the attempt wasn’t that easy.

Andre Drummond – C+

Drummond had a double-double (11 points and 10 rebounds) by the end of the third quarter, and that’s where his line finished. He looked sluggish in a brief fourth-quarter appearance.

He’s still a little slow to react defensively too often, but he crashed the glass hard during the first three quarters. I’d definitely prefer Drummond play all out until he runs out of gas rather than conserving his energy, which he did Friday.

Caron Butler – B

Butler’s shot was falling, and he scored 14 points on eight attempts. He was a little slow on closeouts, not due to laziness as much as being old. He was still hustling, though, and Van Gundy rewarded him with team-high playing time.

D.J. Augustin – C-

Augustin dribbled a lot without accomplishing too much.

Jonas Jerebko – C

Jerebko sure threw his body around. He drove a couple times and finished amidst contact, and he defended physically. Unfortunately, Jerebko couldn’t find the right line of defending without fouling.

Kyle Singler – C-

Not much doing for Singler, who has played 28 combined minutes the last two games – fewer than each of his first three games (all starts). Singler’s removal from the starting lineup has been more than symbolic.

Joel Anthony – C-

Anthony’s impact is becoming consistent. He disrupts the offense – of both teams. While he played Friday, the Pistons’ offensive rating was 69.8 and the Bucks’ was 74.5. For perspective, the game-long totals were 105.9 and 104.3.

Stan Van Gundy – B-

The Pistons have the NBA’s second-slowest pace. It’s too early to say for certain, but I think that’s Van Gundy’s impact. The pro: Detroit’s defense has had opportunities to set, and it has looked better for it. The con: the halfcourt offense can get gummed up, though strong offensive rebounding can help the Pistons force their way to points.