Detroit Pistons end Los Angeles Clippers unbeaten run

In a back and forth game, the Detroit Pistons emerged victorious and were able to end the Los Angeles Clippers unbeaten start to the NBA season.

In what’s becoming a little bit of a habit for the Detroit Pistons, they started slowly again against the Los Angeles Clippers, however once they eventually got into the flow of the game and their offense started clicking, they managed 6 baskets from 5 assists and they took the lead. It looked like they would just run away with the game and tally another 30 assist game. However this rich vein of form was short-lived and to end the first quarter we allowed the Clippers a little run and to close the lead.

Detroit came out in the second quarter and extended the lead a little, only for the Clippers to go on a run and take the lead, extend the lead, and hold the lead for most of the second quarter and the entire third quarter. The Clippers were buoyed by Austin Rivers who seemed to just hit every three pointer he took who ended with 20 points (6 of 8 from three), 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and Blake Griffin terrorized the Pistons from the free throw line getting to the line 10 times, he finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists.

The Detroit Pistons didn’t take the lead again until 8.39 left in the fourth quarter and they lead from that moment to the end. The Pistons best player was Andre Drummond who played with energy and looked engaged all night. He finished with a line of 15 points, 17 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. All the other starters chipped in pretty evenly, and it was the bench players that stepped up and also made the difference. It was specifically Langston Galloway and Anthony Tolliver.

Galloway finished 13 points in 17 minutes, and Tolliver finished 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, and played a big role in containing Griffin in the second half.

Player Grades:

Reggie Jackson – B
Reggie Jackson finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists. He looked much more comfortable hitting some nice floaters and running the point effectively.

Avery Bradley – C
Avery had a good stretch where he looked to take it on himself to get the Pistons back into the game, which he did, but it was short-lived. He is a great leader and always impacts the game defensively, but his offense hasn’t quite clicked yet.

Stanley Johnson – A
Stanley Johnson had another fantastic game impacting the game defensively, stepping up and guarding Danilo Gallinari effectively. He is also beginning to look more comfortable on offense, letting it come to him

Tobias Harris – B+
Tobias continued his efficient offense scoring 12 points on 57.1 percent from the field, and 66.7 percent from three. However he struggled with foul trouble guarding Griffin, and only played 19 minutes.  He played well when on, and was unlucky with the fouls.

Andre Drummond – A+
Andre played hard and looked engaged all night. He won his matchup with DeAndre Jordan comfortably, posting an impressive line. This was Drummond’s best game of the season and will be what the Pistons and fans will expect from him every night.

Ish Smith – B-
Ish Smith loves to get out in transition and push the pace, and he did that. Ish pushed the pace and was part of a unit that changed the game.

Langston Galloway  – B+
Langston continued his excellent play off the bench ending up with 13 points in his 17 minutes off the bench. Langston provides that much-needed shot making coming off the bench managing 55.6 percent from the field.

Reggie Bullock – C
Reggie Bullock had an underwhelming return from his suspension. He managed 6 minutes and had 1 point and 1 rebound. A pass mark for Bullock.

Anthony Tolliver – A
Tolliver was one of the main reasons the Pistons were even in the game. He is a constant professional, always ready to play and when he was called upon he came in played solid defense on Griffin and hit a few shots including a dagger three.

Jon Leuer – C
Jon really struggled today. He couldn’t match Griffin for strength and struggled with his shot. He only played 13 minutes with Tolliver probably getting most of his minutes.

Henry Ellenson – B-
Henry had 5 rebounds and a steal in 12 minutes today. He couldn’t get his shot to drop but he played well enough and played hard. He was disadvantaged by matchups.