Tale of two halves for the Pistons in loss to Cavaliers
156. Final. 97. 64. 109
PG. Pistons. REGGIE JACKSON. C+. After a first half in which he scored just two points, Jackson followed up his lack-luster performance with 16 points (with 18 for the game) and eight assists. His turnover rate was better, but still a little high at four. In fairness, one of his turnovers was completely Shawne Williams’ fault.
D. There’s something about the third quarter with Caldwell-Pope, because that quarter–more than any other–is when he’s somehow able to catch fire and look like a solid two guard. I guess we should chalk that up to the pep talk from Van Gundy in the locker room at half time.<p class=. SG. Pistons. KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE
A+. Had a nice game after getting his minutes cut in the previous one. That’s what the professionals do. 19 points 6/9 from three in 27 minutes.. SF. Pistons. CARON BUTLER
C. With one foot out the door, Stan Van Gundy is either considering Moose’s health for free agency or seeing what he has with his other pieces, because he didn’t see many second half minutes.. PF. Pistons. GREG MONROE
ANDRE DRUMMOND. B. Drummond had eight points and four rebounds in the first half which might look ok on the box score, but anyone who watched him knew he was just kind of out there. He goal-tended two shots on offense in the first half, one of which he grabbed the rim with his left hand before dunking with his right. In the third quarter h grabbed Timofey Mosgov and pulled him to the ground in a clear frustration foul.<p class=. C. Pistons
Five minutes, 0-2, one assist.. PG. Pistons. JOHN LUCAS III. I
B. Another double-digit night for Meeks shooting over 50 percent.. SG. Pistons. JODIE MEEKS
C-. Not a great shooting night for Tolliver, but he did move the ball around (three assists) and rebound well (seven rebounds).. PF. Pistons. ANTHONY TOLLIVER
F. Stand. Catch. Shoot. That was Miller on offense tonight. No moving without the ball, passing, or driving to the rim. That lead to an 0-7 night from the field for Miller.<p>As bad as he was tonight, I wish he would have had more opportunities earlier in the season. There aren’t many 6’10” guys who can shoot from the outside.</p>. SF. Pistons. QUINCY MILLER
F. He missed a three and fumbled an easy lay up to the defense via a nice Jackson pass.. F. Pistons. SHAWNE WILLIAMS
STAN VAN GUNDY. D. 11 first quarter points? I hope Van Gundy told his players to give minimal effort and look completely lethargic, because that’s exactly what he got from his team in the first half as his team found itself down 25.<p>Then, in a tank-like move, the Pistons came out in the second half and stayed stride for stride with the Cavaliers. With the Pistons playing only for draft position, I have no problem with the way the game played out. What’s important is the team looked like a promising team in the second half and got another loss in the process.</p><p>If I had to say one negative about Van Gundy, it’s that he didn’t give Quincy Miller a look earlier in the season. As it stands now, he’s a guy that hangs around on the three point line and shoots as soon as he gets the ball– a lot like Caldwell-Pope last season–only Caldwell-Pope got a chance to improve the following season as most first rounders do. We will have to wait and see what kind of opportunities lay ahead for Miller as guys who are taken in the second round don’t always get that luxury.</p>. Head Coach. Pistons