Pistons’ defense integral in win against Jazz
With Stan Van Gundy emphasizing defense and a renewed focus, the Pistons bought into the defensive philosophy early in Utah. Detroit held the Jazz to a season-low 13 points in the first quarter. The defense carried over as the Pistons held onto the win in Salt Lake City. The Jazz had a chance to put the game into overtime at the buzzer, but the prayer fell short.
95. 64. 92. 118. Final
REGGIE JACKSON. A. Jackson’s shots were falling and were a result of decisive decision making in the first half, including two threes. He continued to take over in the second half, looking like an All-Star point guard, finishing with 27 points.. PG. Pistons
SG. Pistons. KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE. B. KCP was quiet from a scoring standpoint in the first half, but picked up his fair share of rebounds, racking up seven. As always, he was integral in the defensive effort and picked up his offense in the second half, earning 12 points.
B-. Johnson was on the receiving end of a slick Brandon Jennings assist in the fourth quarter, continuing his stellar night of shooting, especially from behind the arc. He finished 2-for-3 from behind the arc.. SF. Pistons. STANLEY JOHNSON
MARCUS MORRIS. C. Morris started the game 1-for-5 from the floor, and even the shot selection on his make wasn’t ideal. He ended with just two points. Morris cut down on his shooting in the second half and used his talents to distribute the ball instead.. SF. Pistons
Pistons. ANDRE DRUMMOND. C. Drummond and Rudy Gobert dueled from the start. They exchanged emphatically blocking each other, struggling to box out for rebounds, and missing dunks trying to throw it down over the other. He was unable to have his usual eye-popping performance again, playing more like he did against the Nuggets. He was undercut at the end of the third quarter; a scary moment for fans. He finished with seven points and six rebounds. C
C-. Jennings didn’t do much in the stat sheet and was easy to look over. When he was intentionally fouled in the third quarter, he missed his first free throw, and did the same in the fourth quarter when he stepped up to the line.. PG. Pistons. BRANDON JENNINGS
B+. Baynes displayed his importance on offensive for the second unit, setting hard picks and knocking down the majority of his shots. He finished with eight points and five rebounds.. C. Pistons. ARON BAYNES
PF. Pistons. ANTHONY TOLLIVER. A. Tolliver had multiple shots of the game, including one two minutes into the second quarter on a fading catch-and-shoot 3-pointer to beat the shot clock buzzer. His three 3-pointers to start the fourth quarter kick started the Pistons’ offense in a defensive struggle.
Ersan started the game off well, making his first three point attempt, using his stepback move to draw a foul on the perimeter, and cleaning up missed shots off the glass. He started 4-for-4 from the floor. And, of course, he drew a change in the second quarter — he leads the NBA in charges taken.. PF. Pistons. ERSAN ILYASOVA. B
STAN VAN GUNDY. A-. Van Gundy’s topics of leadership and defense were emphasized and clearly utilized in the win. The Pistons’ defense down the stretch was air-tight until Rodney Hood’s circus shot 3-pointer to trim the deficit to one.. Head Coach. Pistons