Detroit Pistons: Oh, the bench is back!

The Detroit Pistons were supposed to have a strong bench this season. But for the first few games, the subs struggled. However, they turned things around, and were dominant in a victory over the Orlando Magic.

When you are a ‘restoring’ team like the Pistons, a team will have a younger than usual starting lineup. Detroit general manager Troy Weaver had planned for it, creating a bench filled with NBA veterans.

But when the bench is getting beat soundly by opponents on the court, it is tough for a young team to pull out a win. What occurs is losing, and that is what happened to the Pistons, being defeated in four straight games.

When Detroit won its first game of the year, 110-103, over Orlando. And you do not have to be a basketball wizard to figure out what was the difference in this game.

Bench points:

Pistons: 53

Magic: 39

The Pistons bench also outscored its own starters by an eight-point margin.

With Cade Cunningham making his NBA debut, the Pistons started a rookie, three second-year players (Bey, Stewart, Hayes) and a player in his second-year as a main option on offense (Jerami Grant).

Particularly early in the season, the starters are going to need help while they gain experience, and learn to play with each other.

Three reasons the bench won the Magic game for Detroit Pistons

3. Helped lead the rally

While the final score was not close, the Magic did not roll over despite playing the second game of a back-to-back.

A three-pointer by Michigan alum Franz Wagner gave Orlando a 62-55 lead with six minutes, 35 minutes left in the third quarter. It appeared loss No. 5 was impending.

But Kelly Olynyk then hit two three-pointers, Cory Joseph and Josh Jackson each hit a ‘three’ of their own and the Pistons regained the momentum. Detroit went on a 20-5 run to to go ahead by 12.

2. Trey Lyles may hate Detroit, but he plays well for Pistons

When Trey Lyles was signed in the off-season, it was met with a ‘meh’ by most Detroit fans, and not because he once on a podcast said Detroit was one of his least favorite places to visit.

The 6-foot-10 Lyles had lost his starting job in San Antonio and the Spurs made no effort to bring him back when he became a free agent. The rest of the NBA was not exactly clamoring for his services either, and Detroit got him on a two-year $5.1 million deal.

But, give him his due, Lyles has played pretty well for the Pistons when given the chance. Per 36 minutes, Lyles is averaging 19.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Wow!

In the first five minutes of the fourth quarter against Orlando, Lyles scored six points, including two dunks, to stop any Magic rally.

As the main backup to Jerami Grant, Lyles does not get as much opportunity to play as other substitutes, but he has made the most of his time, scoring 12 points in just 12 minutes against Orlando.

1. Cade Cunningham played

The No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft finally made his debut, after sitting out the past three weeks with an ankle injury.

With a lot of rust to scrape off, his numbers were not that great: two points, seven rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes. But just the fact he was playing, put a buzz into the air at Little Caesars Arena and created excitement.

On a strictly basketball level, Cunningham’s presence was important, because it meant Detroit finally had its regular starting lineup for the first time all season.

With Cunningham, and Jerami Grant for a couple games, not playing, it meant players ticketed for the bench mob had to start.

With coach Dwane Casey finally able to use his full roster in the roles they are supposed to be in, the subs played as well as had been expected, going into the season.

Lyles, Olynyk and Joseph all played together on the Canadian National team, and Josh and Frank Jackson also have plenty of NBA experience. They should be able to play well together.

The bench players, may not start, but their roles are just as important, if not more, than the starters. And that resulted in victory.