Grading the Detroit Pistons loss to the San Antonio Spurs

Oct 18, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Detroit Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson (1) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs power forward David West (30) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Detroit Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson (1) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs power forward David West (30) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Pistons struggled for much of their 96-92 loss to the hometown San Antonio Spurs, but they put together a furious rally in the fourth quarter to tighten up a game that the Spurs had led by as much as 24 points. The Pistons outscored the Spurs 29-16 in the final period, but it was not quite enough to dig out of the hole they got themselves into.

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The Pistons had poor shooting numbers, only hitting 39% from the floor and 32% from behind the arc, and they allowed the Spurs to hit 46% from the floor and 46% from three-point range. The were out-rebounded by seven boards, but they were efficient with the ball and only turned it over 12 times.

They forced the Spurs into 20 turnovers, and that +8 turnover differential is the primary statistical edge that enabled the Pistons to keep this a respectable game against a great team in need of their first preseason win.

In contrast to the Pistons’ five games coming into this one, the Spurs had only played three games coming into this afternoon, having lost all three.

After starting rookie Stanley Johnson and Marcus Morris together in the front court the last two games, head coach Stan Van Gundy went with Ersan Ilyasova starting at power forward, with Marcus Morris coming in off the bench in relief.

Morris ended up playing the most minutes of the trio, with 29 minutes compared to Ilyasova’s 28 and Johnson’s 17.

Let’s grade.

Next: Are the Detroit Pistons favorites to produce the sixth man of the year?