Detroit Pistons: Predicting the 2019 NBA Playoffs Rotation

Bruce Brown Jr., 20.1 Minutes,  – 4 – 5 minutes

If it’s not broke, leave the starters be. Bruce Brown is such a good wing defender for the Detroit Pistons and offensively has yet to find his spots on the floor or consistency in Dwane Casey’s system. He’s not a volume scorer. Those facts aside, the Pistons took defensive losses at the trade deadline. Brown’s ability to agitate has kept opponents honest.

PJ Tucker and Clint Capela set stagger screens to free James Harden up. Brown goes under Tucker’s screen and recovers quickly after going over Capela’s. Harden sizes Brown up on the perimeter but the rookie guard guides Harden directly into Andre Drummond, who plays the passing lane admirably and cuts off the line to Capela. Houston turnovers the ball over and allow a wide-open three-point attempt by Langston Galloway. Galloway doesn’t convert on the long-ball but Brown’s defense on James Harden cleared the path for an easy opportunity.

Wayne Ellington, 27.2 Minutes, – 3 – 4 minutes

Wayne Ellington has a rapid-fire trigger from deep and leads the Pistons in three-point shots attempted at a rate of 7.8 a night. His 31.9 percentage from distance could be better, but his ability to hit in streaks beyond the line makes him volatile for any opponents’ defense in the outer limits. Putting him with the starters gives Griffin and Drummond another perimeter threat in the lineup next to Jackson without sacrificing a scorer in the reserve unit.