The Detroit Pistons evened their first-round series at 1-1 with an emphatic Game 2 win over the Orlando Magic. While it was encouraging to get back on track, a harder-than-expected remainder of this series awaits the Pistons. It took a massive 30-3 run in the third quarter to break open Game 2, a contest in which Detroit struggled again offensively for long stretches.
As the series shifts to Orlando, the Pistons can't take their foot off the gas. There are three important storylines to watch for the Pistons as they try to take back control over the Magic.
1. Which Ausar Thompson Are We Getting?
The Defensive Player of the Year finalist didn't make much of an impact in Game 1 and was limited to only 25 minutes. The Pistons closed the game with Daniss Jenkins instead.
In Game 2, Thompson redeemed himself. Tasked with guarding Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs for most of the game, he made their lives hell when on the court. He was one of the primary reasons for how the Pistons were able to wreak havoc in the third quarter, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition.
Thompson can struggle with consistency. If he can't make a ton of defensive plays, his impact can be limited due to his offensive shortcomings. And when he is guarding an elite shooter like Bane, it becomes harder to sag off him and make plays. His challenge will be to continue limiting Bane's opportunities while also doing enough elsewhere defensively to help the Pistons. How well Thompson plays will determine how much of a chance the Pistons have in winning Game 3.
2. Can Jalen Duren Finally Get Going?
It was a better Game 2 for Duren, but it was still nowhere near his regular-season level. The Pistons were more intentional about getting him the ball, and Duren was more aggressive. He attacked facing the basket or tried to score in the post-up, but wasn't particularly efficient. He was 4/10 from the field and only 3/5 from the charity stripe on his way to 11 points.
The Pistons won Game 2 with their defense, but that may not be enough in Orlando. Detroit will have to be better offensively, and that goes through Duren. He has to win his one-on-one matchups against Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze. The Magic have done a good job packing the paint so far, forcing Duren to play with a more physical approach and intensity to assert his will.
3. Who Will J.B. Bickerstaff Trust Off the Bench?
The Pistons have been searching for the right lineup combinations through the first two games of the series. Bickerstaff continues to have a deep rotation, but one has to assume that it will shrink as the series goes on.
In Game 2, Ron Holland and Kevin Huerter saw their minutes cut in the second half. Daniss Jenkins was also strictly Cade Cunningham's backup after spending a ton of time on the court with him in Game 1. It was Javonte Green's turn to step up and swing the game for Detroit, and the veteran ended up playing the most minutes off the bench.
If the game is close at the end, which lineup will Bickertaff close with? Will Holland earn his way back to the rotation? When push comes to shove, will the Pistons rely more on offensive lineups or double down on their defensive identity? Which role players Bickerstaff will choose to put around Cade Cunningham and Duren in Game 3 will be fascinating to watch.
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