Pistons: Lessons Learned from Loss to Pacers
The Detroit Pistons will not be going 82-0 this season, after suffering a 94-82 loss to the Indiana Pacers last night.
Here is what we learned from the lackluster effort the Pistons gave in the game last night:
Andre Drummond is the second coming of Wilt Chamberlain.
More from Detroit Pistons
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- Could the Pistons Have the Longest Losing Streak in NBA History?
- What Ausar Thompson and Bill Walton Already Have in Common
- WATCH: Awesome Alley-Oop From Pistons’ Rookies Showcases Exciting Future
- 3 Michigan Sportsbook Promos You Can’t Afford to Miss (Unlock Over $2,400!)
Coming off his Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors, Drummond had a monstrous game against the Pacers. He grabbed seemingly every missed shot and dominated in the paint all night, compiling 25 points and 29 rebounds.
He has been on a tear all season averaging over a double-double coming into last night’s contest, and kept up his tremendous play against Indiana, a team without much talent in the post. Drummond’s teammates also helped him collect all these rebounds by providing plenty of opportunities on the glass, shooting just 38 percent from the floor.
The Pistons are shooting a lowly 38.7 percent from the field on the season, which finally came back to bite them in their loss against the Pacers. If Drummond can continue to dominate the paint and rebound battle like he is, an all-star selection will be in his very near future.
The Pistons’ bench does not know how to put the ball in the basket.
Oct 23, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard
(7) warms up wearing a training mask prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Seriously, the bench was only able to muster two points against the Pacers, being outscored 43-2. Spencer Dinwiddie was the only Piston who was able to put the ball in the basket between bites of his energy bar. The entire bench played poorly, which was when the Pacers went on a run to take control of the game and gain the lead, which they never gave back.
Brandon Jennings could be the key cog in the second unit’s offense when he returns from his Achilles injury around Christmas-time. His shot creating ability and playmaking could be put to good use leading the team when Reggie Jackson needs some rest. Jennings seemed to finally put everything together last season, scoring and distributing at an elite and efficient level before he went down with the injury.
The pieces to a solid bench are there, there is just one piece missing to complete the picture.