Kyle Singler blasts ahead of already increasing expectations, leads Pistons’ ball movement in win over Trail Blazers

By Dan Feldman | Nov 26, 2012

Portland Trail Blazers

101

Final Recap | Box Score

108

Detroit Pistons

Dunked so hard, he nearly broke Jared Jeffries’ nose, which might be the most Jason Maxiell play of all time.

31 MIN | 4-9 FG | 2-2 FT | 4 REB | 4 AST | 10 PTS | +11

Prince played fine overall, but I especially liked how he played. He moved the ball well and protected it – a combination few current Pistons have mastered or even shown for a single game.

36 MIN | 6-7 FG | 1-1 FT | 10 REB | 5 AST | 16 PTS | +13

An all-around great game from Singler. He attempts to score only when he has good looks, and that’s why his shooting percentages are so high. Add some tremendous hustle, and Singler contributed in every phase. I don’t want to ignore his 10 rebounds, two steals or block, but his five assists – a team high on a night the Pistons had 26 as a team – really stood out. I won’t overreact to only one game, but I’m seriously rethinking my perception of Singler’s ceiling.

33 MIN | 8-16 FG | 4-8 FT | 10 REB | 3 AST | 20 PTS | -1

Monroe is such a special offensive center. His skillset makes him very fun to watch and very effective most nights. Monroe’s defense was slightly subpar, even handicapping for difficult-for-anyone matchup with LaMarcus Aldridge, but Monroe defended well enough to remain the A range.

33 MIN | 9-17 FG | 5-5 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 26 PTS | +13

Knight looked decisive tonight, and that was all the difference with his shot. He also did a good job sticking with Damian Lillard on the other end. A 2:5 assist:turnover mark shows Knight still needs work, though.

15 MIN | 4-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 2 AST | 10 PTS | -2

"I don’t know if I’ve ever been madder about a player playing well than Villanueva these last two games." -Patrick Hayes

16 MIN | 0-2 FG | 0-1 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 0 PTS | -6

Even Maggette kept the ball moving! He’d had this many assist per minute in only 2.6 percent of his career games. Add bad defense and misses on all his shots and only free throw, though, and Maggette played poorly overall.

14 MIN | 1-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 0 AST | 2 PTS | +8

Drummond’s defense wasn’t quite to the level it was against the Knicks, but his biggest strength was still on display: his athleticism. Once again, Drummond got rebounds and blocks no other Piston can. His speed led to a nice fastbreak dunk, but his offense was a jumbled mess overall tonight.

5 MIN | 1-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 2 PTS | -7

Bynum saw an extremely reduced role as Rodney Stuckey picked up his play. A sign of things to come?

23 MIN | 4-6 FG | 2-3 FT | 1 REB | 4 AST | 11 PTS | -1

In the first half, Stuckey didn’t show much, which has been the norm at all times for him lately. But he was much more engaged in the second half and made a number of quality plays. Hopefully, this is a game Stuckey can build off.

That Jason Maxiell-Charlie Villanueva frontcourt probably wasn’t a great idea, though it lasted for only one defensive possession. Unfortunately, Portland made a 3-pointer. Frank can’t be afraid to play Drummond or Monroe with two first-half fouls. Drummond doesn’t play enough for personal foul trouble to matter, and Monroe, who finished with two fouls, doesn’t foul enough to self impose a punishment (benching your best player).