The Detroit Pistons escape super-scorer Devin Booker and Phoenix Suns

The Detroit Pistons pull out a win against scoring machine Devin Booker and The Phoenix Suns in a blowout road win 118 to 98.

Blake Griffin returned to the Detroit Pistons after the team decided to rest him against Cleveland. This decision made to give Blake some rest because he was noticeably fatigued.

After a disappointing loss at Cleveland, the Pistons knew that they were going to have to play hard to get a win at Phoenix.

The Pistons and the Suns went back and forth in the first quarter. Or should I say the Pistons and Devin Booker?

Devin Booker was scorching in the first quarter. He started the first quarter 6 for 7 from the field with 14 points. His only missed shot in the quarter came with .5 seconds remaining.

Booker’s hot shooting plus the Pistons not being able to make shots really hurt the Pistons. Andre Drummond’s offensive rebounding helped keep the team in the game.

The second quarter was more back and forth play. Pistons were able to take a 6 point lead. But Phoenix quickly erased it and took a 2 point lead into halftime.

It would be the third quarter that the Pistons would build some breathing room. After Andre Drummond picked up his fourth foul, Wayne Ellington would splash in a couple of threes to give the Pistons a 7 point lead into the fourth.

In the fourth all the bench had to do was maintain or build the lead. And that they did. Langston Galloway made threes. Drummond was a force on offense. Luke Kennard made some good defensive plays. And Ish Smith made his mid-range jumpers.

The Pistons would go up as many as 21 points. They pulled out the victory after the disappointing loss at Cleveland.

Blake Griffin and Reggie Jackson did not play in the fourth quarter. This gives Blake more rest after his 4 days off and Reggie well deserved rest after his improved play. Reggie has played every game this season.

Three Takeaways

1. Devin Booker scored 14 points on 6 for 7 shooting in the first quarter. He ended the game 8 for 17 from the field with 26 points. You would think those are still good stats right? After the first quarter, he finished 2 for 10 from the field. The Pistons found a way to slow him down. They trapped Booker near half court anytime he brought up the ball. This forced 5 turnovers against Booker. This helped the Pistons build some comfort room and close out the game.
2. The Bench play was terrific. Wayne Ellington continued his hot shooting. He scored 23 points on 7 for 11 shooting and 6 for 10 from three. The Pistons as a team shot 17 for 42 from three. This was because of the zone defense that Phoenix tried to play against the Pistons. Unfortunately for Phoenix, they were punished because of it. Luke Kennard and Thon Maker were a team high +20. Their impact was heavily shown in the third and fourth quarter when the Pistons pulled away from Phoenix. Ish Smith scored 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists and propelled the bench. Langston Galloway also provided two threes made. They combined for 45 points.
3. The Detroit Pistons big three struggling? Blake Griffin did not have a great game after his days off. He had 17 points, but struggled to put the ball in the basket. He shot 4 for 17 from the field. Although he had a game high 8 assists. Reggie Jackson did not need to play in the fourth. He had 14 points and 3 assists. But 4 turnovers that turned into Phoenix points. And it would be crazy for me to say Drummond had a bad game with 16 points, 19 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block. But Drummond struggled to put the ball in the basket in the first half. He even missed two open dunk/lay-up attempts.

The Pistons take on the Portland Trailblazers Saturday night at Portland.