Pistons’ losing streak reaches freaking 12

Oklahoma City Thunder 96, Detroit Pistons 94

Josh Smith – C-

Smith, fueled in part by jawing with Serge Ibaka, scored 10 points in the first eight minutes. After that, Smith had more fouls (three) than rebounds (two) and missed seven of eight shots – including an open game-tying 3-point attempt with a second left.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – B+

Caldwell-Pope took a much bigger role than usual, and he handled it better than could have reasonably been expected.

He led Detroit with 19 points (needing just 12 shots), and he dished a career-high five assists. At times, though, the burden was a little too much, and he committed three turnovers.

On the other end, Caldwell-Pope was the primary defender of Russell Westbrook, and Caldwell-Pope made Westbrook work to get by him. But Westbrook – an elite rim attacker – still managed to get to the basket, including one of the most ferocious dunks I’ve seen all season.

Kyle Singler – D+

The Thunder dominated outrebounded Detroit, 50-39, and Singler’s inability to help on the glass (two rebounds in 35 minutes) particularly stung, especially as Oklahoma City erased Detroit’s 11-point lead in the third quarter. Westbrook’s drives had the Pistons’ big frequently rotating near the rim, and they needed Singler to help on the glass. If he’s starting on the front line, even if this area isn’t his forte, Singler must rebound a little better.

Scoring 10 points on eight shots, he shot OK. Kevin Durant gave him trouble on the other end, but that’s to be expected.

Andre Drummond – A-

With 16 points and nine rebounds, Drummond did his part. Sadly, as this season has shown, unless Drummond goes above and beyond, the Pistons have little chance of winning (and that isn’t necessarily enough).

Brandon Jennings – B-

After shooting 4-for-31 his previous three games, Jennings focused more tonight on setting up his teammates. He scored six points on six shots and had nine assists with one turnover.

That formula worked, and the Pistons offense was buzzing well enough with Jennings on the floor.

D.J. Augustin – D+

Augustin (seven points on 2-of-3 shooting, one assist, no turnovers) also played a pretty reserved game, but he couldn’t get the offense on track like Jennings did.

Greg Monroe – C-

Monroe (12 points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes) got his individual numbers, but the Pistons were outscored by 15 points with him on the floor. Some of that is coincidence, but Monroe also struggled to make a positive meaningful impact.

Jonas Jerebko – B-

Jerebko (nine points and four rebounds in 17 minutes) was active – setting screens, driving to basket, moving off the ball, crashing the glass.

Caron Butler – B-

Butler has played 13 minutes the last two games, his lowest totals of the season. Is the Pistons’ oldest player running out of gas? I sure hope not. He’s been a surprisingly dependable contributor.

Cartier Martin – D-

Martin missed all four of his shots in 16 minutes, and when he misses so much in such little playing time, it’s difficult for him to redeem himself.

Stan Van Gundy – B

This isn’t the same Thunder team the Pistons beat last month. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook tip the scales, and the Pistons impressed by even being in the game. They just couldn’t match Oklahoma City’s stars. Detroit actually outscored Oklahoma City by five points in the 19 minutes Durant sat.

Too often this season, the Pistons have looked more talented than – or at least nearly as talented as – their opponent and fallen flat. That wasn’t the case tonight. Van Gundy dialed up some nice offensive plays and gave his less-talented team a fighting chance.