Detroit dominates Phoenix at home, 112-95
Entering an eight game stretch of playing sub-par competition, the Detroit Pistons roll by their first game against the Phoenix Suns, 112-95.
The table was set for the Detroit Pistons on Sunday afternoon against the visiting Suns.
Without Devin Booker, Eric Bledsoe, and Brandon Knight, Detroit was primed for a win over Phoenix. And even though Detroit was down two at half against Phoenix, Detroit did push away in the fourth to win by 17.
During the win, Detroit’s three best players were two centers and a shooting guard: Andre Drummond, Aaron Baynes, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Thanks to their performances, Detroit was able to come away with their 34th win and win the first of an eight-game stretch competing against lesser competition.
Reggie Jackson was solid against the Phoenix Suns. Even though he didn’t shoot well, cashing in five out of fifteen shots, Jackson scored 14 points, dished four assists, and only turned the ball over twice. As his statistics were solid, Jackson was even better pushing the ball and finding the open man.. PG. Detroit Pistons. REGGIE JACKSON. B-
KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE. A. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was exceptional for Detroit Sunday night. As he was quiet for the first half, Caldwell-Pope heated up in the second to end the night with 23 points on over 50% for shooting and eight assists. 15 of his 23 came from three as he shot five for nine which has been a much improved aspect of Caldwell-Pope’s game compared to last season.. SG. Detroit Pistons
B-. Marcus Morris was quiet yet solid for Detroit Sunday night. The forward scored 16 points and rgrabbed five boards. With other Pistons doing so well, Marcus Morris’s performance was a bit overshadowed though well appreciated as he’ll be expected to be a leader down the stretch.. SF. Detroit Pistons. MARCUS MORRIS
Tobias Harris had a off shooting night at home against the Suns. Harris only scored eighth points on two for ten shooting while grabbing four rebounds. Fortunately, enough of his team mates performed well-enough Sunday night to lift Detroit to its 34th win, though he will be highly relied on to push the Pistons to a playoff position down the stretch.. PF. Detroit Pistons. TOBIAS HARRIS. D+
C. Detroit Pistons. ANDRE DRUMMOND. A. With Aron Baynes playing so well, some would have figured Baynes was filling in for a struggling Andre Drummond. Howeever, Andre Drummond was great Sunday night! In 28 minutes, Drummond scored 18 points on seven for ten shooting and grabbed 18 rebounds. Most impressively, Drummond played with outstanding energy and appeared to be having fun, especially in the second half.
ISH SMITH. C+. Ish Smith was decent Sunday night for Detroit. He continued to push the ball from off the bench and dish out six assists, though the point guard shot two for nine from the field and scored six points. Smith was no where near terrible, but the speedy point guard is capable of doing more.. PG. Detroit Pistons
Inc. Stanley Johnson only played seven minutes for Detroit against the Suns. During then, the small forward went 0-2 from the field and recorded two fouls.. SF. Detroit Pistons. STANLEY JOHNSON
REGGIE BULLOCK. Inc. Reggie Bullock only played eight minutes Sunday night for the Detroit Pistons. In those minutes, Bullock failed to hit any of his three shots, though grabbed four rebounds.. SG. Detroit Pistons
In two minutes, Darrun Hilliard was unable to record any statistic Sunday night againt the Suns.. SG. Detroit Pistons. DARRUN HILLIARD. Inc
PF. Detroit Pistons. JON LEUER. B-. Jon Leuer was solid off the bench for Detroit. Leuer scored ten points and grabbed seven boards. Since transitioning from his starting spot to the bench, Leuer has been somewhat disappointing. Though, his performance against the Suns is a great sign that he will be fine.
Detroit Pistons. AARON BAYNES. A-. Aaron Baynes played remarkable at home against the Suns. In only 18 minutes, Baynes had 13 points while rebounding an astounding 17 boards. Baynes could have easily played more if needed, although Andre Drummond was playing great too.. C
Inc. Boban Marjanovic played great in the final minutes of the game. The big man was 100% on the field and at the line with four points and one assist.. C. Detroit Pistons. BOBAN MARJANOVIC