3 takeaways from Detroit Pistons 123-110 loss to Thunder

Blake Griffin went off for 45 points in his return to the lineup, but it wasn’t enough as the Detroit Pistons lost 123-110 to the OKC Thunder.

The Detroit Pistons were up one at halftime and entered the fourth quarter down only two points. From then on, it was Oklahoma City as the Thunder outscored the Pistons 26-14 in the fourth quarter en route to a 123-110 loss for Detroit.

This loss has dropped the Pistons down to the eighth seed, and only a game ahead of the ninth placed Miami Heat; who thankfully also lost on the same night to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Detroit is now 39-40 with three games remaining against the Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, and Memphis Grizzlies.

Here are some takeaways from the Detroit Pistons latest loss.

Blake Griffin is back

Blake Griffin returned to the Pistons starting lineup and made an impact immediately. Griffin scored 17 point in the first quarter, and had 31 points in the first half of this game. Griffin was carrying the Pistons on his back and did all he could to match the all-star duo of Russell Westbrook and Paul George.

Griffin ended the game with 45 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He did almost all of his damage from beyond the arc, where he hit a career high nine(!) three pointers.

He shot 9-14 from downtown and also got to the charity stripe 16 times and converted on 14 of the freebies.

This was great to see if you’re a Pistons fan. Griffin had been sidelines the previous three games due to soreness in his knee, and the longer he stayed out the more worried Pistons fans were beginning to get.

Hopefully this signals that the rest given to Griffin to allow the knee to heal has helped him and the Pistons will be getting this kind of play to close the season. The Pistons can’t have any kind of slippage in these final three games if they want to be dancing in the ball room.

Lack of help

Griffin literally had his teammates on his back all night. Not one other player on the Pistons had a good night in this loss. Outside of Griffin, the Pistons four other starters combined for 27 points on 11-31 shooting.

Reggie Jackson struggled from the floor shooting 4-14 from the field and 2-8 from downtown, Wayne Elllington shot 3-12 from the field and 2-9 from deep, and Andre Drummond only four points and nine rebounds.

The Thunder are for sure a good defensive team and can force players into have bad games. But, this was more than just the Thunders defense. The Pistons players around Blake crapped the bed. Griffin had the Pistons in a close game against a better team, and could’ve had a chance to win the game if ANYONE provided even 50 percent of what they’re capable of.

With the playoffs on the line, it hurt to see the Pistons lose a game where their star player had them down just two points in the fourth quarter, pitching in 45 himself.

We need you, Luke.

Luke Kennard struggled tonight again, giving the Pistons a doughnut in the scoring department. If the Detroit Pistons plan on making the playoffs and at least being competitive in the first round, they’re going to need Kennard to snap out of this funk and give them some production.

In his last four games, Kennard is shooting 31 percent from the floor and scoring only 6.8 points per game.

Compare that to the 13 games before that, where he was shooting 48 percent from the floor, 43 percent from deep, and averaging 13 points a game. The Detroit Pistons were 8-5 in these games, and they’re 1-3 in his last four games.

Kennard is relied upon to give the bench some much needed scoring and play-making when he hits the court. Kennard is very much capable of doing so, which is what makes his recent struggles so frustrating.

The Pistons need Kennard most these last thee games if they want to make the playoffs for only the second time since 2008.

Cool Hand Luke, answer the call.

The Detroit Pistons take on the Charlotte Hornets Sunday, and could have a playoff spot locked up with a win and some help.

Here’s to hope.