Keys to game 2: Detroit Pistons versus Milwaukee Bucks

After being on the bad end of a 35 point blowout game ingame one versus the Milwaukee Bucks, the Detroit Pistons look to be more competitive going into game two.

The Detroit Pistons got the life beaten out of them in their 35 point loss against the Bucks in game one. They were of course without their all-star in Blake Griffin.

The 35 point loss is their biggest loss in playoff franchise history. Andre Drummond was ejected in the third quarter with a flagrant foul 2 after pushing Giannis Antetokounmpo

Blake Griffin came into game one questionable to play. Ultimately he would have been ruled out for game one. He’s also questionable to play in game two.

This is terrible news for the Pistons. Blake Griffin playing might be Detroit’s only shot of stealing a game. But his health is more important than trying to steal a playoff game.

For the Bucks, they will be without Malcolm Brogdon, Tony Snell, Donte DiVincenzo, and Pau Gasol again.

This sorta bandages up some of the bleeding that the Pistons are enduring without Blake. Brogdon is a great starter and Snell has been a Piston’ killer in the past.

Luke Kennard was the bright spot for the Pistons in-game one. He scored 21 points and was 8 for 14 from the floor in 27 minutes off the bench. He could do almost no wrong. He lit up the Bucks from outside, came off screens hitting mid-range jumpers, and was an offensive force.

Reggie Jackson, Wayne Ellington, Bruce Brown, Ish Smith, and Langston Galloway combined for 24 points. A terrible night for all five guys. They will look to be more aggressive in-game two.

Three Keys to the game

Andre must guard Giannis

The Pistons need to start and finish the game with Drummond defending Giannis. Dwane Casey started the game having Thon Maker on Giannis. And to no surprise it went horribly wrong. In fact, it probably could not have been any worse. Giannis tore up Maker and showed why he’s the MVP of the league. Giannis ended the game with 24 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists in 23 minutes! Maker isn’t athletic enough to keep up with Giannis. He also is no-where near the muscular beast Giannis is. Drummond is a big, strong, athletic man who can pose as a defensive threat against Giannis. Anything that Giannis will get at the rim will probably be heavily contested by Drummond.

Dwane Casey must make quicker adjustments

Dwane Casey needs to make quicker adjustments in the game. Too many times this season Casey displayed slow adjustment to the game that end up hurting the Pistons. And game one was no different. The starting lineup for the Pistons was atrocious. They were a combined +/- of -162! Drummond was a playoff worst -45 in the game. He scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds before being ejected. Casey has to switch the lineups a lot quicker if he wants to see the team succeed. If the lineup isn’t working, he should not stick with it for another minute or two. He might be able to get away with that in the regular season. But the post-season is a whole different game.

Let Giannis try to beat us

The Pistons have to let Giannis single-handedly beat them. If Andre Drummond is defending Giannis, there should be no reason the Pistons double or triple team him. The others have to stay defending their man. The Bucks hit 15 threes in-game one. They were able to hit this many due to Giannis collapsing the Detroit Pistons defense. The Detroit Pistons felt the need to double team him on just about every possession. Rightfully so, Giannis was a force because the Pistons were forced to double him with Thon covering him. Basketball is a team game. If you eliminate his team and force Giannis to score; you’ll probably have a good chance of winning the game.

Tipoff starts at 8 PM ET on NBATV