Pistons can't fall for same Wembanyama trap again

The Detroit Pistons held Victor Wembanyama in check in their recent loss to the Spurs, at least for a half. Detroit clearly put a target on Wemby defensively, which worked for a while, but ultimately led to their defeat. 

Detroit had a clear strategy early against Wembanyama, which was to play physically with him and throw a lot of bodies at him. Guys like Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson were taking it right into Wemby’s chest, and even Cade Cunningham sent him flying on a hard screen. 

Every time Wembanyama got the ball, the Pistons collapsed and tried to make it difficult for him to unfurl all 75 feet of arms and legs he has at a disposal. They swiped every time he brought the ball down and held him in check. 

But that didn’t last. 

Wembanyama was much more effective in the second half, especially defensively, as he racked up six blocks and 17 rebounds. 

But he also opened things up for his teammates, who went off. The Spurs got a shooting drill of uncontested corner 3’s because of the gravity Wembanyama was creating every time he got inside the 3-point line. 

Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie combined for 12-of-19 from 3-point range and many of them were wide open or lightly contested at best. 

This can’t happen again, so the Pistons have to change things up. 

Detroit can play Wembanyama straight up with their centers 

I thought the Pistons showed a little too much respect to Wembanyama in the last game and not enough to his teammates, who were raining 3’s on the Pistons all night. 

Detroit can live with Wembanyama getting his, especially if he has to work hard for it, but it’s going to be tough for them to win if the Spurs' shooters hit 45 percent of their 3-point shots again. 

They have to play Wemby straight up with Duren and Stewart and live with the consequences, as they can’t constantly collapse on him like they did in the first game, leaving San Antonio's talented shooters open. 

The Pistons were able to hang with the Spurs for most of the game even though San Antonio more than doubled up their total in 3-point makes, so protecting the 3-point line has to be more of a priority tonight than it was in the first game. 

Take it at Wembanyama and live with it 

There’s not much advice anyone can give against Wembanyama defensively, as I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone who affects so many shots. 

But the Pistons were passing up looks at times, trying to throw up floaters and letting him dictate everything. The only success they had came by taking it right at him, which Duren started doing later in the game. 

This is something the Pistons need to tap into sooner, as Duren can overpower Wembanyama, and if he gets his shot blocked a few times, who cares? Duren has the power and skill to lure Wembanyama into some cheap fouls, so hopefullly we'll see plenty of JD tonight.

Detroit would love to get some revenge on the Spurs in San Antonio and it starts by stopping the 3-point shot and aggressively taking it at Wembanyama.