The Detroit Pistons got a shorthanded win over the San Antonio Spurs to start the preseason.
With both Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes out, the Pistons had to rely on some lineups that are unlikely to get much run in the regular season.
Saben Lee and Rodney McGruder were in the in the starting lineup, so the Pistons had to rely more on their bench and there was one group in particular that was surprisingly effective.
Coach Casey has talked about using a young starting lineup and bringing his veterans off the bench, which worked well in the first preseason game.
The Detroit Pistons are going to use a lot of different groups and combinations this season and this is one that we will see more of when the games get real.
Detroit Pistons: This bench unit was really good
- PG: Cory Joseph
- SG: Hamidou Diallo
- SF: Josh Jackson
- PF: Trey Lyles
- C: Kelly Olynyk
The Detroit Pistons were able to extend leads in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters with this bench unit on the floor, which was somewhat surprising.
There has been a lot of talk about whether Diallo and Jackson can play together, as they have similar skills and both struggle to shoot the 3-point shot. But they are both good defenders, rebounders and run the floor well, so can fit in lineups together if there is plenty of shooting around them.
Lyles and Olynyk went 5-of-10 from long range between them and could provide the necessary spacing for this lineup to be effective. Joseph was very good running the offense and the Pistons got up and down the floor with this group a lot more than I would have thought was possible.
They moved the ball well and got good shots in the half court and I love the idea of using Olynyk as the primary facilitator with the cutting Jackson and Diallo diving to the rim and Lyles finding open spots on the perimeter.
With such a young team, it would be good if the Pistons had a group of solid veterans that can come in and extend leads or get them back against the opponent’s second team.
If Olynyk and Lyles can continue to shoot, this could be a veteran group Casey leans on, especially early in the season.