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Detroit Pistons must have Andre Drummond guard the Greek Freak

By Ku Khahil

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 14: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives through the paint during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 14: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives through the paint during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Giannis Antetokounmpo is likely the NBA MVP this season. Lacking any kind size on the wing, the Detroit Pistons need to put Andre Drummond on The Greek Freak.

The Detroit Pistons suffered one of their most embarrassing losses in recent memory. Their first game in the playoffs since 2016, the team was hoping to be at least competitive. The result was a 121-86 loss.

The Pistons found themselves down 40 points at one point in the game. It was really that ugly.

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One of the Pistons biggest issues is figuring out how to guard Giannis Antetokounmpo. Dwane Casey started the game with Thon Maker guarding him. That didn’t go well, as Maker picked up two fouls in under two minutes.

They tried running zone for the first time all season, and as you can assume, didn’t go very well. The Detroit Pistons tried almost everything and almost nothing worked.

Yes, I used the word almost on purpose. There was one solution for The Greek Freak that was actually bringing good results for the Pistons.

It was when Andre Drummond was put on Giannis. By putting Drummond on Antetokounmpo Drummond was able to stay by the rim to grab rebounds and provide rim protection.

This forced The Greek Freak to do exactly what the Pistons wanted him to do; shoot perimeter shots.

Giannis ended up shooting five threes this game, which is a major win for the Pistons. If the Pistons can keep Giannis on the perimeter in game two, they will have a better chance at stealing a game in Milwaukee.

This also keeps Drummond from having to guard Brook Lopez on the perimeter. Drummond can guard bigs along the perimeter, but it’s not where he’s at his best. Also, with Blake Griffin out, the Pistons will struggle mightily on the boards if Drummond isn’t down there.

Maker would then guard Lopez, which would be a problem if the Bucks tried to expose this down low. However, this is very unlikely to happen and the Pistons would rather the Bucks attempt to force feed Lopez in the post than shoot threes and punish with Giannis.

The one problem that could rise with Drummond guarding the likely MVP is Drummond possibly getting into foul trouble; which is Detroit’s worst nightmare.

However, Drummond is the Detroit Pistons only chance to limit Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Next. What to expect in the Pistons playoff series. dark

In a series they are 99 percent likely to lose, chances and creativity like this are needed to happen to give the Pistons a chance.

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