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When the Detroit Pistons met the Los Angeles Lakers it was a battle

ByStuart London|
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Bruce Brown #6 passes the ball to Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk #19 of the Detroit Pistons while playing the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 5, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Lakers won 106-99. 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. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Bruce Brown #6 passes the ball to Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk #19 of the Detroit Pistons while playing the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 5, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Lakers won 106-99. 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. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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Jan 5, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Detroit Pistons forward Sekou Doumbouya (45) defends Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) as he drives to the basket in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Detroit Pistons forward Sekou Doumbouya (45) defends Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) as he drives to the basket in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Hope for the Future

Despite tremendous adversity,  the Pistons showed they could play with the best in the NBA but it did not turn around the Detroit Pistons season.

Too many injuries, veterans wanting to move on to contending teams hurt their momentum. Having to rely on inexperienced players not used to the NBA grind derailed any playoff hopes for the Pistons. They would go 7-22 the rest of the season.

However, Detroit can draw some positive lessons from the Lakers game:

  • In a one-game situation, the Pistons can rise to the occasion and play with anyone, anytime and any place.
  • With Derrick Rose as a leader, Detroit will not fold its tent and go home. Three times in that game the Lakers thought they had put away the Pistons only to see them rally.
  • The Pistons bench is stronger than one might suspect. Mykhaliuk and Galloway (now a free agent) gave the usually leak-proof Lakers defense a lot of problems sniping from outside. Bruce Brown might not put up big stats, but he proved very effective.
  • Sekou Doumbouya showed flashes of what could be a promising future. Did he shut down LeBron James? No (few do). However,  he did make himself enough of a presence where James shot under 50% in the game and missed all three three-point attempts. He also added 11 points.

There was no rematch as the game scheduled  in Detroit was cancelled. However, while watching the Lakers play for the NBA championship, keep in mind that, for one night, an undermanned and weary Detroit Pistons team played right with them.

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