For the first time in team history, the Detroit Pistons enjoyed back-to-back 30-point wins as they handled the San Antonio Spurs 132-98 on Sunday and eased by the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-94 tonight. The Pistons (8-13) finally created a winning streak and will look for “angels in the outfield” tomorrow night as they will welcome the 18-3 Milwaukee Bucks to Little Caesars Arena. Before our thoughts go the depressing route, here are three makes and three misses from tonight’s murder of the Cavs.
First Make — First Quarter Big Man Show
The Pistons enjoyed a 32-point opening quarter thanks to dazzling performances from big men Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond. Griffin gave fans 2018-19 feels as he knocked down four threes in route to 16 first-quarter points — including this deep launch to end the quarter.
Drummond literally did a little bit of everything as he turned in a line of four points / five boards / three blocks and three steals. The big man finished with 17 / 14 / four assists / five steals / four blocks and probably would not mind facing the Cavaliers every night.
First Miss – Luke Kennard’s Slow Start
When the Pistons win by 33, these are the kind of misses that writers are left with. Nevertheless, it was not Kennard’s night as he started 0/5 and did not get on the board until the second half. You know the offense is rolling on all cylinders when fans cannot even realize when Kennard is having a bad offensive night. If you are reading this Luke, I really did not mean it.
Second Make — The Pistons Offense
The Pistons offense was well, beautiful tonight. The team finished with 51 field goals on 54.3%, 18 threes on a 51.4% clip and 33 assists. For those that still believe that this roster did not improve from last year, the Pistons went from sitting at No. 23 in 3-point % in ’18-’19 to a top-3 mark going into tonight’s elite showing from deep. Griffin led the way with 24 points in 24 minutes while five of his teammates finished with double figures. It makes you think, what could this team do 100% healthy?
Second Miss — Sekou Needs More Minutes
This miss is a simple one. The Pistons were in cruise control well before the fourth quarter even began, and fan-favorite Sekou Doumbouya only saw four minutes on the night. There is simply no excuse for Tony Snell to be on the floor with a 30-point lead, especially when a raw player like Doumbouya is in dire need of NBA minutes. The man was electric in the closing moments against the Spurs, and tonight would have been a marvelous encore. Pistons Twitter won the Wood over Maker argument, hopefully their cries for more Sekou minutes will be heard as well.
Third Make — Svi Looks Comfortable
Svi Mykhailiuk showed a confident version of himself tonight as he poured in 15 points on three threes and finished with the third-most points on the team. He has shown the coaching staff that he is more than just a catch-and-shoot guard and will be a rotational piece worth monitoring once Reggie Jackson returns. Through December, Mykhailiuk is averaging 13 points and two threes on a 66.7 3-point percentage.
*It is not worth mentioning that the Pistons have only played two games this month. Let Svi live his best life.
Third Miss — Greg Kelser calling Thompson and Drummond Hookers
Pistons legendary play-by-play caller Greg Kelser may have made the observation of the year when he called Tristian Thompson and Andre Drummond two of “the best hookers in the league.” Although there is no evidence to back this claim up, there may be some ex-girlfriends of Thompson’s past that would agree with Special K….. it had to be said. The most underrated part of that statement was the zero reaction from George Blaha. The Pistons very well may have the most pure broadcast team in the league.
Palace of Pistons welcomes ZERO Blaha/Kelser slander. Although, can we stop giving my man Blaha close-ups during the pregame show? I cry every time.
(Featured image by David Petkiewicz/cleveland.com)
Palace of Pistons 