Andre Drummond leads Detroit Pistons to 100-93 win over Memphis

The Detroit Pistons were down by as many as 22 points to the Memphis Grizzlies, but Andre Drummond brought the team back to keep their playoff life alive.

The Detroit Pistons entered this game knowing they likely needed to win their final two games to make the playoffs. The sense of urgency wasn’t felt, as the Pistons were down by as many as 22 points in the first half.

The Memphis Grizzlies brought out a zone that had the Pistons confuzzled and left with more questions than answers. It took a wild second half comeback, led by Andre Drummond to win this game and keep their playoff life alive.

Here are three takeaways from the Detroit Pistons win.

Blake is down for the count

Blake Griffin started this game and tried to give his teammates all he could. But, all he has is barely anything.

Griffin looked like he was playing on one leg out there, and was seen favoring his injured knee on almost every possession. He only took five shots in this game, and didn’t even take a shot during the first quarter. He finished with only five points in 18 minutes.

In the second half, it was clear to everyone that Griffin could not keep going. Dwane Casey pulled the plug on Griffin and sat him on the bench to watch his teammates battle the 20 point deficit.

It was hard to see Griffin get noticeably emotional on the bench, knowing his body would not allow him to play in what looked like a for sure loss. Whether Griffin plays again this season or not, Pistons fans should appreciate what he’s given us.

It’s killing the guy to not be out there with his teammates, and it looks like he may be down for the count,

Do you know what a zone is, Casey?

The Grizzlies busted out a zone that had the Pistons looking like a middle school basketball team. One of the first things I learned in my organized basketball career was the way to defeat a zone was from the middle.

Dwane Casey apparently never got that lesson.

The Pistons were often left dribbling around the perimeter, running pick and roll on one side of the court that leads to a 3-on-2 scenario against a zone. It’s been months since teams first realized zone defense completely destroys the Detroit Pistons, and Casey still has no answer for it.

I don’t want to hear concepts, or that he lets his players do what they want out there. HE is the Head Coach. The job of the head coach is to have a game plan for something like this. At the very least, he could call a timeout and simply tell his players to have someone at the high post to puncture the zone.

The frustrations of everyone watching the Pistons struggle against a basic zone is warranted. Casey needs to have something for when, not if, the next team runs zone against Detroit.

It’s his job.

Andre Drummond is a beast.

Drummond came out in the second half of this game refusing to allow his team to go down the way they were. He carried this team on his back, in a game that might become Drummond’s marque game of his career.

With the Pistons playoff hopes on the line, Drummond showed up and rallied Little Caesars Arena back to life.

Drummond would finish the game with 20 points, 17 rebounds, five steals, and three blocks. It all started on the defensive end, where Drummond looked like a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He was wrecking havoc on the perimeter in the pick and roll, as shown by his five steals.

What is so insane about Andre on defense is the fact he can defend the ball handler and the oop to the roller, which just shouldn’t be possible.

Drummond saw his partner in crime was down for the count, and no one else was capable of stepping up. And as Drummond has over the past four months, he stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam.

The Detroit Pistons don’t win this game if Drummond doesn’t go bonkers in the second half.

The Pistons are right back at it tonight against the New York Knicks, in what will be their final game of the 2018-19 season. With a win, the Detroit Pistons will clinch their second playoff appearance in the past decade.