Game Recap/Notes. Game #17. Pistons 92 - Heat 100. (4-13)
Predictable way for the game to go. The Heat, for over a decade now, play a style on both ends that demands crisp movement and high effort, which is why they are so fanatical about the heat culture stuff. It means that they can go long stretches where they look “meh” and then turn it on to blitz opponents. Not a shocker they did that to a depleted Detroit team.
Cory Joseph:
Actually put in one of his better nights. 9 points and 9 assists is a tidy stat line (even if 34 minutes were needed) and he looked more like the veteran steady presence the Pistons were hoping to get from him. I still think he's pretty much washed defensively tho.
Cade Cunningham:
This is the last time I'll mention it but had another big time finish over a rim protector. Let it be known that Cade can finish over NBA defenders cause its no longer going to be notable when he does.
Other than that its a rough night for Cade. 6 points on 10 shots, 6 assists but 4 turnovers, shot 1-7 from deep. Long way from being concerned but it is pretty clear that some nights the shots are not falling and its a problem. Also seemed worse defensively than normal.
Saddiq Bey:
Another “meh” night statistically for Bey. 15 points and 5 boards but needed 16 shots to get there and shot just 3-10 from deep. But I want to be positive about Bey for a second.
At the start of the season I mostly poo pooed his apparent shot creation. People were saying “omg he really is Khris Middleton” which was dumb. HOWEVA. What I said about it then was shown tonight. Even if Bey isn't someone who is a real bucket-getter, he has shown enough that if you try to hide some shlub on him, like Duncan Robinson or Tyler Herro tonight, he can go after them. In a hypothetical playoff series years from now that will matter.
Basically consider a hypothetical playoff series against the Hawks. If they tried to hide Trae Young on Bey, Bey will body him up and make them pay
Jerami Grant:
21 points on 21 equivalents with 7 boards and 3 assists for Grant. An up and down night for him, but did alright. Once again, almost hard to think of how to talk about Grant’s games, just kind of produces these same stuff every night.
Luka Garza:
Got the start but only played 17 minutes. Got 7 points, got beaten on defense a lot. He hit his only three-point shot tonight and I hope he continues to get more aggressive in launching those, because being a good shooter from deep is the best way for him, with his limitations, to survive in the league. I will say that Garza is perhaps the best example we’ve had of “Just because I think he should play more doesn’t mean I think he’s actually that good.” I do not really have much hope for Garza to become anything, his defense is so poor that I’d be surprised if he is anything other than a 3rd big who can occasionally fill in. That said, he is here and with all the other centers hurt, he should play more. Because as much as I don’t think he will be worth anything, I may be wrong! There is no other time there will be as much of an excuse to toss him in the deep end.
Trey Lyles:
I’m just kind of sick of Lyles. He’s not totally awful, but his game is just not what I like to watch.
Frank Jackson:
Stayed right in groove. He scored 13 points on 12 shots, is finding his spots on the floor. Perhaps I’ve been gushing over Jackson too much recently because he’s one of the few guys who’s actually found consistent shooting, still, nice to see from him.
Josh Jackson:
Didn’t play much, didn’t make a big impact.
Hamidou Diallo:
Only played 15 minutes but made the most of it. His stat-line of 10 points and 2 boards doesn’t jump off the sheet. But Diallo’s verve on the floor is obvious, he is all over the place on both ends and finishing tough offensive looks. I remain a bit dubious about his long-term outlook on the team, his lack of shooting is still a big issue, but he is really showing something these past few games. The key for Diallo is that this can’t just be a good stretch, he’s had stretches like this before, this needs to be who he is as a basketball player.
Also as a side note here, I would like to point to Diallo as an important note. There is no member of the Pistons organization that I hope fails. When I say I am skeptical about Diallo’s place on the team I am simply giving my honest assessment, but he’s been great to watch the past few games. If Diallo, Garza, Trey Lyles, and Cory Joseph lead the Pistons to the playoffs I’d be stoked about it. Just so we are clear.
What do you think? Can they bounce back tonight?
Programming note:
Had a couple of house-keeping things come up. I had started this last night so I figured I may as well finish it. Sorry about no preview for tonight’s game but there will be a recap of tonight+ a pod for people to listen to during Thanksgiving travels.