3 takeaways from the Detroit Pistons 121-111 loss to the Brooklyn Nets

Everything went well until it didn’t

It sounds simple enough, but it’s true. It started with Drummond securing a double-double within the first 9 minutes of the game, and continued with a 10-point lead at halftime.

Then Irving opened the second half up with 15 points in a span of just a few minutes and absolutely torched the Pistons. Without him on the floor, this game likely would have continued to go in Detroit’s favor.

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The Nets are one of the highest scoring teams in the paint in the entire league this season, and Detroit is one of the worst at defending the paint. So the fact that they were able to slow Brooklyn down in an area where the operate so efficiently made a significant impact.

The issue was Detroit’s inability to make their free throws, and the Nets ability to make theirs. Brooklyn shot 88 percent from the line compared to just 66 percent from the Pistons, which (if made) likely could have sparked some momentum down the stretch.

The issue became Detroit attempting to match Brooklyn’s pace. One of the things that Irving is so effortlessly able to do is impact the pace of the game not just for his team – but for both of them. This isn’t new, if the Pistons try to match tempo they’ll likely wind up shooting themselves out of the game.

The Nets ran a zone defense early in the game, which forced Detroit to settle for a majority of their shots. That same complacency re-emerges once that tempo comes back into play. It results in quick three-pointers and awkward pick and rolls that just don’t work.

The Pistons will try to put the pieces back together against Cleveland on Monday.