Opponent Scouting: Boston Celtics. (40-27).
Tonight at 7:30pm the Detroit Pistons will be on the road in Boston to face the Celtics.
The Them:
The Celtics come into this game with the 14th ranked offense and the best defense in the league. Their defense has reached absurd heights over the past months and the team in general has begun to gel.
In late January the Celtics fell below .500, since then they have turned on the jets and started to look like the team that peole keep predicting them to be. Jayson Tatum has been absurd, putting up tons of points on efficient shooting and doing a much better job of moving the ball as a passer. Jaylen Brown remains a killer two-way player who can score in a variety of ways and is also a tough defender.
Beyond those top two, Marcus Smart isn’t the defender his reputation is at this point but he’s still very good while also being a plus facilitator and in general doing point-guard stuff. Al Horford is revived and doing Al Horford stuff with smart defense and offense and doing all the positive things that don’t show up in the stat-sheet. Time-Lord Robert Williams has fully put it together as a mosterous defensive precense. Derrick White arrived from the Spurs and is a do-it-all player. Grant Williams is a good defender and shooting well. Payton Prichard is every try-hard white guy you’ve ever played pickup with.
This team is excellent defensively and Tatum is playing out of his mind. Only time will tell if they have truly turned the page or if they are just in a hot stretch.
Matchups to watch:
Pistons vs Tatum: My guess is this will mostly be Grant vs. Tatum but with how Tatum has been this will be a team effort. He’s been insane lately so Grant will have his work cut out for him, in addition Grant would do well to make Tatum defend on the other side.
Saddiq vs. Bouncing back: Two bad games in a row for Saddiq, particularly worrying because he didn’t even get that involved. Wasn’t even as simple as he missed shots. Last time out his inability to get shots down and find spots was a big reason the Pistons lost, getting him back right is really important.
Pistons vs. Depth: A number of players are out tonight for Detroit. Diallo, Hayes, McGruder, Stewart, and Frank Jackson are all out. Will be challenging for guys to gut through this one. On the flip side, more opportunity for Livers and Lee to try and show something.
Cade Cunningham vs. Finding the balance: Not a big deal because it is very normal for young players to struggle with this, but he has had trouble being dominant for an entire game. He often picks a stretch where he decides to take over and then can float out of the game for long stretches.
Marvin Bagley vs. Playing defense: He is brutal on defense. I want him to succeed because he tries hard. But he has to figure stuff out if he wants a future on this team.
So in conclusion…
Run for the hills if:
The Celtics are smothering the Pistons offense
Jayson Tatum has 30 at half-time
The PIstons look tired
Wink knowingly at your friends if:
Cade knows how valuable showing up against Boston can be for his ROY bid
Saddiq is hitting shots
Kelly Olynyk revenge game
Opportunities for me to look stupid:
The Boston Jays combine for 70 points.
Cade Cunningham has his best game of the season
Saddiq bursts out of his slump
Pistons 108 - Celtics 107