3 takeaways from the Detroit Pistons 115-107 win over the Houston Rockets
Performances from the least expected
Besides the aforementioned performance of Brown, the Pistons also saw some other unexpected faces rise to the occasion. Most notably, Christian Wood and Thon Maker. While it’s increasingly expected that Wood will contribute to the team positively any time he steps on the floor, tonight was different.
In the absence of Drummond, Wood was a driving force guarding the interior and provided his usual dominance in the paint on offense. He finished the game with 11 points and 12 rebounds on 50 percent shooting. Maker on the other hand, has not gained the affection of the fans like Wood has.
He found himself in a starting role tonight, and while he wasn’t playing starters minutes he still stepped up when it mattered. As the game began, he found himself having a difficult time containing Capela, who was catching lobs from Harden on nearly every trip down the floor.
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As the game progressed, he recorded two key blocks in situations where the Rockets were trying to climb back into the game. He showed tremendous effort on the boards down the stretch, and helped the Pistons seal the game.
Aside from those two, the performances of Derrick Rose and Markieff Morris were impeccable. Rose’s ability to bury the Rockets with a mid range jumper any time they thought the may be able to climb back into the game was a work of art. He finished with 20 points and 12 assists on 48 percent shooting.
Morris found himself in the same position. His perimeter shooting (50 percent on the night) and his ability to make tough baseline jumpers was a regular disturbance in Houston’s attempts to go on any sort of a run.