Good news, bad news from Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns

Detroit Pistons: Good News/Bad News

Starters vs. The Bench

The good news is that the Pistons starting lineup (minus Saddiq Bey) played one of their best games of the season and might have been able to pull this one out if not for some early foul trouble for Cade Cunningham. SIDE NOTE: That 3rd foul on Cade was absolute nonsense, the type of call I thought the NBA was trying to eliminate.

Both Cade and Killian Hayes had productive games and a combined +13 net rating for the game, which you love to see. The Pistons were clearly better when their young guards were on the floor together and they are starting to click.

Isaiah Stewart had another good game, hit a mid-range jumper and was all over the boards against a tough center in DeAndre Ayton, who would look great in a Pistons’ uniform next season.

Jerami Grant had 34 points, albeit on some tough, contested two-point shots, but he got to the line regularly and carried the Pistons’ offense in the first half.

The bad news is that the bench was absolutely atrocious last night. Outside of Hamidou Diallo (who may be starting soon), the bench was a combined -42 in the net rating.

The game was tied when Casey started going to the bench in the first quarter and by the time the starters came back in the second, the Pistons were down 11 points.

After the starters (with Diallo, minus Saddiq) came roaring back in the 3rd quarter, the bench promptly came in and let the Suns build another lead and this time the Pistons had no response.

I’m not sure the Pistons have a good player coming off their bench and it needs to be almost completely overhauled if this team is going to compete any time soon.