Detroit Pistons: 3 takeaways from historic night vs. Raptors

We knew it was going to be a weird one when the Detroit Pistons took on the shorthanded Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors were without many of their key players and the Pistons were without leading scorer Jerami Grant but still managed to put up 129 points on a  very rare night.

The Pistons got big contributions from just about everyone and even got a few mop-up minutes for rookie Deividas Sirvydis, who is hoping to see more action in the second half of the season.

It was a historic night for the Detroit Pistons, who had two players accomplish a feat that rarely happens in the same game.

Here the the takeaways from a wild night in Tampa.

Detroit Pistons: The Pistons pull off the rare double-triple-double

The Detroit Pistons had two players record triple-doubles in the same game, something that has not happened since, well, ever? Some Pistons’ historian will have to scour the record books but I can’t remember the last time this happened. Luckily, we have the Internet!

Both Mason Plumlee and Dennis Smith Jr. ended the game with triple-doubles, the second of the season for Mason Plumlee, who could definitely be trade bait at the deadline for a team looking for high-IQ bench depth.

Dennis Smith Jr. recorded his first triple-double for the Pistons, though he continues to shoot the ball poorly. Smith Jr. has shown he can contribute in other ways, namely on the defensive end, where he swiped another three steals vs. the Raptors.

It was a team effort against the Raptors, led by a pair of triple doubles from unlikely sources.

Detroit Pistons: Players to watch at the trade deadline

The Pistons have a number of players who could be moved before the deadline and all of them had good games last night against Toronto.

Wayne Ellington appears to have regained his touch after a run of bad games He was 4-of-6 in the last one before going 8-of-11 from the 3-point line last night against Toronto.

Ellington is not going to get a huge haul but he is showing he has value on the trade market as a 3-point specialist who can carry an offense for a night.

Mason Plumlee continues to play well, and his team-friendly contract would make him easy to move if the right offer presents itself. Otherwise, he is a great player to have around, as he doesn’t make much, puts up numbers and is a good mentor to the young bigs.

Svi Mykhailiuk’s season has been largely disappointing, but he looked good last night hitting 5-of-9 from behind the arc. He is another player who could draw some interest on the trade market and since he is in the final year of his deal, the Pistons might consider moving him.

Of the three, Ellington is the most likely to be moved but the Detroit Pistons will be getting a lot of calls at the deadline.

Detroit Pistons: The young point guards continue to impress

Dennis Smith Jr. and Saben Lee were thrown into extended minutes when both Killian Hayes and Delon Wright went down with injury and they have made the most of it.

In addition to Smith Jr.’s triple-double, Saben Lee poured in 20 points off the Pistons’ bench and continues to be impressive, especially for a rookie who was selected in the second round.

Lee also added seven assists and a block, showing tantalizing athleticism that allows him to get to the rim and make plays for his teammates.

I have no idea what is going to happen with the point guard position after this season but both Smith Jr. and Saben Lee have made their cases as part of the future.

I am sure if the Pistons had a G-League that Lee would be in it, but it’s nice to see a guy make the most of an opportunity, even if it only came because of injury.

It was a win against a heavily depleted Raptors’ team, so you don’t want to read too much into it, but the Pistons played well without their leader and continue to get big efforts out of their retread veterans and youngsters.