DETROIT, MI – The Detroit Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 115-103 in a game they didn’t trail much. They displayed much of the same recipe that powered them to a dominating win over the Brooklyn Nets just the day before.
There were many reasons why the Pistons could’ve folded but, especially given how many times it’s happened the last few years. But this isn’t last year. Back then the Pistons didn’t get their third win of the season until December 30TH, after a 28 game losing streak.
“We’ve played a lot of games in the past we were up,” Cade Cunningham stated. “But gave the game away.”
NOT ON THIS NIGHT!
The visiting Lakers experienced a Pistons team playing defense, sharing the ball offensively and playing without fear.
“That’s the best part about our team,” Cade Cunningham said. “Our fearlessness.”
They’re confident, not afraid of narratives, opponents, or who they were last year.
And head coach JB Bickerstaff sees that identity being established team wide. Especially with Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, two of the Pistons most important players.
Jaden Ivey
“With confidence amazing things happen,” Bickerstaff said of Ivey. “We think he’s playing with a ton of confidence. hell keep working and keep getting better.”
Ivey led the Pistons in scoring with 26 points on a very efficient night shooting 10-16 for the game. He also had 4 rebounds and 4 assists showcasing increased overall play. Especially from behind the arc where Ivey is shooting 38.5% on over 5 three point attempts through 7 game.
And Ivey’s play drew the praise of his backcourt partner Cade Cunningham.
”He’s playing for others and has always been super selfless,” Cade said. “He’s always been a dude that has a gift nobody else has. We’re making sure he has the space to do what he does.”
Cade Zone
While Ivey handled the scoring load, Cunningham effectively ran the team offense but also took the assignment of defending LeBron James. Many of those times were one on one with Cunningham forcing James into multiple tough shot attempts.
”Cade has the ability to be a great two way player,” Bickerstaff exclaimed. “And he doesn’t have any fear.”
Cunningham finished the night with a triple-double scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and dishing out 11 assists. The turnover issues were kept in check as well. Cunningham only had 3 which helped the Pistons finish with less turnovers (12) than the Lakers (13).
That was one of the stats which impressed Bickerstaff most about the team’s win.
“We passed it to us, more than we passed it to them,” Bickerstaff said. “I feel we won this game because we took care of the ball.”
Veteran Stability
The vets lead the charge in the first quarter as Tobias Harris scored 11, and Tim Hardaway 10 for the defensive minded home team. They each finished with 15, and 19 points respectively, while Harris also pulled down 7 rebounds.
Harris played aggressive forcing the issue on offense against the Lakers anemic defense. He made quick decisions getting to his spots on offense from all three levels.
But it was the gritty defensive tone set by Harris and Isaiah Stewart that was the real difference maker. They held the Lakers to just 22 points in the first and scored 33, while answering any runs by LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the LA Lakers.
It resembled the good things fans loved in the Pistons win over the Nets. Hustle, aggressive rebounding and all out defense were the major difference makers.
And it held serve through most of the Pistons dominant win over the LA Lakers.
They didn’t shoot well hitting just 23.5% from three point range, but they faired very good in the hustle categories.
The Pistons out-rebounded the LA Lakers 55-37, while collecting 5 blocks to the just one for the visitors.
Hard nose basketball that values punishing defense first, is what Detroit fans and supporters have been hoping to see associated with the Pistons again.
Is now the time to believe?
Quote of the Game
“We’re realizing how quickly we can learn and understand, and we were able to achieve what we needed to do possession by possession.”
“We’re learning that we can get stops on demand and we’re learning that our defense is going to be the key to everything that we do.
– JB Bickerstaff on the Pistons growth and defense
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Photo Credit: Brandon Dent – Woodward Sports Network