The Detroit Pistons were destroyed again last night by the Memphis Grizzlies, who often scored as if they were alone in the gym.
This was especially true in the paint, where the Pistons let up an astounding 70 points to the Grizzlies, who feature master screen setter/rebounder Steven Adams as their center, who scored a whopping two points.
Just about everyone else on the Grizzlies’ roster got their turn, as Detroit put up little resistance and let Memphis get into the lane time and time again with impunity.
This has been a problem all season for Detroit, who clearly need more size and rim protection even after getting Isaiah Stewart back from illness.
But they’ve been even worse of late, allowing more than 70 points in the paint twice in their last six games.
The Detroit Pistons need help in the paint moving forward
Obviously the Pistons have had some injury problems this season, but they went into 2021-22 with Stewart, Kelly Olynyk, Trey Lyles and Luka Garza as their bigs, none of whom are great rim protectors.
The Detroit Pistons are 25th in the NBA in points in the paint allowed, giving up 48.6 per game, which is not a recipe for winning in the modern NBA, where 3-pointers and dunks are the preferred shots.
Detroit has given up 56 points in the paint in their last three games, which would be last in the NBA, and there isn’t anyone on the bench or walking through the door anytime soon who can help.
Getting rim protection (along with shooting) has to be the top priority for the Detroit Pistons this offseason, as Beef Stew can’t do it alone, may not be a starting-caliber center, and Detroit simply gives up too many easy buckets to compete most nights.
The last two games have been huge disappointments for the Pistons after they had won two-in-a-row but it seems like they are starting from scratch again.
Whether it is via free agency or trade, the Detroit Pistons have to find someone who can make things difficult for opponents in the paint.