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Pistons rally falls short in loss at Chicago

By Brady Fredricksen

Apr 1, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets won 102-78. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets won 102-78. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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24. 82. 64. Final. 88

REGGIE JACKSON. B. Despite an ankle injury and (potentially) a bit of his recent sickness lingering, Jackson did what he had to do against the Bulls lackluster duo at the point. Those eight turnovers were bad, but the rest of his game was really strong. Aaron Brooks got free for a pair of big buckets late, but both came on pick and roll switches off Jackson.. PG. Pistons

C. Caldwell-Pope came alive in the second half and really helped keep the Pistons in the game. His steal-and-layup in the final minutes tied the game, and he really started hitting shots confidently in the second half. But he’s still as streaky a player as there is in the NBA.. SG. Pistons. KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE

D+. There was a moment in the second quarter when it looked like Prince might have a good night brewing. But that was sort lived. He wasn’t good offensively, and he struggled at the four against Nikola Mirotic.. SF. Pistons. TAYSHAUN PRINCE

C. Pistons. ANDRE DRUMMOND. A-. Drummond was in the midst of his best all-around game in weeks until… the final possession. The Pistons defense was scrambled and Drummond lost Pau Gasol for the game-clinching dunk. But outside of that play, Drummond was great. He was superb defensively in the post against Gasol and he did a good job filling the lane offensively.

JOHN LUCAS III. B-. Lucas continues to give the Pistons a surprising boost off the bench. I wouldn’t mind him being around as the No. 3 point guard next year. He’s a good locker room guy, he’s always well-prepared and he’s capable of streaks like this when he’s called upon.. PG. Pistons

D. I’m still of the belief that Meeks can come off the bench and give the Pistons a lift, but it’s been awhile since he’s gotten into a rhythm and had it carry for a few games. He seems to be the kind of player who needs a regimented role — come in, get shots, get moving — and his role has been all over the place this season.. SG. Pistons. JODIE MEEKS

CARON BUTLER. D. Invisible until his 3-pointer in the second half cut the Bulls’ lead to one possession.. SF. Pistons

Tolliver played a pretty solid game when you consider how poor a matchup the Bulls area for a guy like him. Offensively, he’s able to draw either Pau Gasol or Joakim Noah away from the basket, but those two are big enough to bang him around down low. He played well, though.. PF. Pistons. ANTHONY TOLLIVER. B-

B-. Anthony continues to play sound defense and hasn’t been as great a detriment to the offense as he was early in the season. His shot blocking has actually complimented Drummond well. But maybe it’s just the first time Drummond has played alongside a good defensive big man.. C. Pistons. JOEL ANTHONY

F. Pistons. SHAWNE WILLIAMS. D+. Defended well, but still can’t get anything to drop offensively. Valuable contract or not, if Williams isn’t hitting from deep he’s pretty useless.

B-. After a horrific end to the second quarter and beginning to the third, Van Gundy called time with the Pistons trailing by 16. They went on to play infinitely better, cutting into the lead and making it a game. Even on the final play, the Pistons defense was great… it was just a bad play by Drummond that ended the chances of a rally. But if there was such thing as a good loss late in the season, I guess this is it.. Head Coach. Pistons. STAN VAN GUNDY

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