The Detroit Pistons came up short against the Dallas Mavericks in Mexico City, the final score was 122-111.
The Detroit Pistons ventured down to Mexico City to play the third best team in the Western Conference. The final result was more or less expected, but what’s even more frustrating, is that this was for some reason considered a home game for Detroit.
Luka Doncic was better than advertised, posting a 40-point triple double (the first triple double ever recorded in the Mexico City games) and was lights out on both ends of the floor. The Mavericks star overshadows their incredible supporting cast, and tonight was no exception.
The Pistons were having an extremely difficult time defending Dallas down low. Although points in the paint were an even split at 50 – the Mavericks were able to get inside whenever they wanted with little to no resistance. Detroit was even out-rebounded 52 to 34. They were allowing Dallas to establish better position in the lane on both ends of the floor.
This doesn’t seem to be getting any better. While the Pistons have admittedly been increasingly better on defense in their last five games leading up to tonight, the interior defense has always been lacking. There was hardly any bodies swarming to the ball until Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond were off the floor. That’s unacceptable.
Detroit is in desperate need of a quality wing defender, and with trade restrictions lifting on December 15th, that could very well happen soon.