Coming into their first-round playoff series wiht the Knicks, the Detroit Pistons’ primary defensive objective was slowing down Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, two players who killed them in the regular season.
The results have been a mixed bag, as the Pistons were able so shut down KAT in game two behind a monster effort from Tobias Harris and timely play from Paul Reed.
They may have to do it again, as Isaiah Stewart is questionable for game three.
Detroit has had less success with Jalen Brunson, who averaged over 28 points per game against them in the regular season and has raised that to 35.5 in two playoff games so far.
A lot has been made of Brunson’s foul-baiting, with Knicks fans complaining that he is not getting enough foul calls even though he’s drawn 23 of them through two games.
Eleven of them have come against Ausar Thompson, who fouled out in game two after nearly fouling out in game one.
Thompson has to do a better job of not picking up ticky tack fouls in the backcourt, as he did in the first two games of the series. The Pistons are wildly better defensively (14 points better with Ausar on) with Thompson in the game this series, so they need him on the floor.
He also needs to stop biting on Jalen Brunson’s most effective trick.
The Jalen Brunson pump fake
Brunson is a master at getting defenders out of position and drawing fouls, something you need in your arsenal if you are going to be one of the best guards in the league at 6-foot-2.
Yes, Brunson’s whiplash head throws are annoying, and at times he treats minor bumps like he was shot out of a cannon.
But he’s also very good at getting defenders off their feet with pump fakes, something he did to Thompson in game two as well as Tobias Harris. It’s frustrating, but it’s a legit basketball play and one the Pistons can’t continue to fall for.
As I mentioned, Brunson is 6-foot-2, usually the smallest man on the floor, so instead of giving him freebies at the line, the Pistons have to stay on their feet, hold their ground and contest the shot.
They need to make Brunson shoot over taller defenders, which means not falling for that pump fake, as tempting as it may be.
It’s easier said than done for defenders who are trained to contest everything, but Brunson is too crafty for that, so the Pistons have to be disciplined on pump fakes and force Brunson to beat them with tough shots.
This is especially important late in the game, when Brunson is certain to go to that bag to try and get some free points at the line. He’s a tough cover for anyone, but Ausar can’t make it easier for him by falling for pump fakes, especially on long jumpers.