When the other team’s starting backcourt scores 57 points and yours scores two, you won’t win many games, which the Detroit Pistons found out against The Portland Trail Blazers.
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum outscored the Pistons’ entire starting five by seven points, as Saddiq Bey, Saben Lee and Josh Jackson only managed one bucket between them.
It was a rare off night for Bey, who has been shooting the ball very well and is on the cusp of breaking the Pistons’ rookie record for 3-point shots in a season.
Not much went right for the Detroit Pistons after the first quarter. They struggled shooting and taking care of the ball over the final three as the Trail Blazers built a 23 point lead.
There were some positives to this game, especially considering the lowly Timberwolves actually won, bringing Detroit one game closer to the overall worst record in the league.
Here are three takeaways from the blowout loss to the Trail Blazers.
Detroit Pistons: Jerami broke out of his slump
After two single-digit scoring efforts in a row, Jerami Grant finally broke out of his shooting slump and dropped 30 points on Portland while hitting 3-of-5 from long range.
Grant had been shooting under 30 percent from behind the arc over his last ten games, so it was nice to see him get back on track.
These were not easy points either, as no one else was really doing much and Portland was focusing their efforts on stopping Grant.
His night would have been even bigger but he had a rare off game from the free-throw line, missing four of his nine freebies.
This is the next step Grant has to take, as teams are now focused on him as a number one option, so he has had to adjust, which he did last night.
It’s too bad his teammates didn’t show up.
Detroit Pistons: Saben Lee vs. Frank Jackson
I wrote about the positional battles for the Detroit Pistons and who the frontrunners are for future roster spots.
The Pistons currently have three point guards fighting for two likely spots, as Dennis Smith Jr., Saben Lee and Frank Jackson have all shown signs that they can be competent back ups.
None of them really helped their case last night, as Smith Jr. is still out with injury and Lee and Jackson both had off nights shooting.
Personally, I like what I’ve seen from Lee and Jackson more than Smith Jr. but none of them have been great, so Pistons’ fans really need to be more realistic.
I actually had a fan tell me the Pistons shouldn’t draft a point guard because they have TOO MUCH TALENT ALREADY. What?! This is the second-worst team in the NBA, they don’t have nearly enough talent, sorry.
You don’t make roster decisions based on a few nice moments from guys who would undoubtedly be in the G-League in a normal season.
These guys have been ok, but let’s not get carried away. The Pistons are still terrible and must draft for talent, not need.
Detroit Pistons: Sekou Doumbouya vs. Tyler Cook
Doumbouya didn’t play in this one due to an illness, but he probably wouldn’t have played anyway, so it wasn’t a big loss.
Tyler Cook still has the advantage in this one, mostly because he has looked like a semi-competent NBA player when he’s been on the floor.
Cook had the worst +/- on the team against Portland, so he didn’t help himself much even though Doumbouya didn’t play. I could definitely see Cook getting a look next season but this battle is still far too early to call.
But there is one more positional battle that hasn’t been close.
Detroit Pistons: Hamidou Diallo vs. Josh Jackson
One battle that has not been close so far is Hamidou Diallo vs. Josh Jackson. Diallo already looks like a steal, and even though he has only played three games, Pistons’ fans should be excited.
Diallo was one of the only bright spots against the Blazers, scoring 19 for the second straight game off the bench while adding seven rebounds and three assists.
Diallo also had a steal and a block, showcasing his all-around game that Dwane Casey thinks will get much better:
"“We’re very excited about that young man’s potential, because he gives us someone who can shoot from the outside and attack the basket,” Casey said. “He’s not a finished product, especially as an outside shooter, but he has a lot of room to grow.”"
Jackson has been fairly awful lately and didn’t help his case with an big goose egg last night. He’s another one who Pistons’ fans are overly excited about even though he has been really mediocre.
The idea that he has “blown up” or “taken his game to another level” is hyperbole, as he has mostly been very inefficient on offense and turns the ball over a ton for a guy with his usage rate.
Over the last ten games he has shot 18 percent from 3-point range and 38 percent overall. I don’t care how good your defense is, you can’t put up those kinds of percentages when you are taking as many shots as Jackson does.
Hamidou Diallo looks like a piece of the future core, while Jackson is looking more and more like a guy who had a couple of good weeks before returning to this career norm, which is not good.
The Pistons won’t have much time to stew about this one, as they have another game against the Wizards tonight in a game that could be meaningful for draft position.