Detroit Pistons: Bucks game observations

The Detroit Pistons ,for the third time this season ,had a frustrating game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The fact the Detroit Pistons lost to the Milwaukee Bucks for the 13th straight time (counting playoffs) , and the 19th time in 21 games, was not the most disappointing part of Wednesday’s action. It is that their games are so boring.

Basically, it has been the same script: Milwaukee goes out to be a big lead, the Pistons fight back to make it somewhat competitive, and the final score does not look that bad, although Detroit really had no shot to win.

Although Detroit is 2-9, all but their games except with the Bucks have been close, and exciting (if you think blowing a nine-point lead with 2 1/2 minute to go is the excitement you want). The Pistons had been a fun team to watch, when not playing Deer.

Here are (slight format change), the Good, the Bad and the Ugly from the game:

Detroit Pistons: The Good

Svi Mykhailiuk: It was nice to see the 6-foot-7 Ukrainian get out of his slump. The good news is he scored 18 points in 18 minutes. The better news is only six of those points came via three-point shots. If Mykhailiuk can diversify his game, that would make him more valuable.

Saben Lee: With Derrick Rose sitting out with a bad ankle, and point guards Delon Wright and Frank Jackson going a combined 1-for-11 from the field, Detroit needed some spark from its ballhandlers. In nine minutes, the second-round pick had fur points, one steal and zero turnovers. With Killian Hayes out for a while, he might see his playing time increase.

Isaiah Stewart: The Energizer Bunny was at it again. In 17 minutes the rookie center had nine points and seven rebounds, and the Bucks have quality big men. He gets boards on pure hustle. He will be a fan favorite, once fans are allowed.

Detroit Pistons: The Bad

Slow starts: Once again, Detroit got off to a slow start. This has occurred ever since Killian Hayes left the lineup with a torn labrum. Milwaukee seized the game’s momentum from the start, eventually holding a 52-29 lead. Coach Dwane Casey might have to shake up the starting lineup.

Sekou’s disappearance: For the first time all season, Sekou Doumbouya did not play in a game. The 2019 first-rounder had not been seeing much court time, but he had always seen some. On a 2-9 team, when last year’s No. 1 draft pick can not even get into a game, that may be a problem.

Detroit Pistons: The Ugly

Pistons misfiring offense: No one , not named Jerami Grant , seems to be able to score.  Detroit had been fine on offense to start the season but, now, the are just stringing together games where they make less than 40% of their shots. Svi Mykhailiuk had 18 this game, but no one else except Grant had more than 12.

In case you had not heard, the Pistons game with the Washington Wizards has been postponed due to COVD-19 protocols with Washington. So, they head next to Miami for a Saturday night game with the Heat, who have had their own virus protocol problems. Both teams will be rested.