The Game 5 loss against the Cavaliers will haunt the Detroit Pistons for a long time. Playing well enough to win for most of the game and building a healthy lead, late-game execution and simple errors cost the Pistons the game. Now, the Pistons have to go back to the drawing board and make the necessary adjustments to make an improbable comeback down 3-2.
One of the biggest decisions the Pistons have to make ahead of Game 6 will be regarding Ausar Thompson. The 23-year-old forward's extreme strengths and weaknesses make him a fascinating player.
Ausar Thompson gives the Pistons a big puzzle to solve ahead of Game 6
On one hand, Thompson is an incredible defender, and he was able to completely shut down Donovan Mitchell in Game 5. He had four steals and three blocks, adding to his impressive stocks tally for the playoffs. He certainly gives the Pistons a defensive identity when he is out there, forcing turnovers and misses, which allows Detroit to get out in transition.
On the other hand, his inability to do anything offensively hurts the Pistons immensely. He is a complete non-threat in the half-court. When he is behind the arc, he doesn't get guarded whatsoever. If Evan Mobley is on him, this allows him to help off Thompson and wreak havoc around the basket. When James Harden or Mitchell is on him, this allows them to rest and recover since Thompson isn't going to be involved in the action.
Thompson hasn't made a three all playoffs. He has a higher turnover rate than assist rate. His usage rate has gone all the way down to 13.5%.
Perhaps the biggest problem is not even his lack of shooting. Thompson's inability to translate his athleticism and physicality to the offensive side of the ball is deeply frustrating. A player of Thompson's physical and athletic tools should be able to overwhelm Mitchell or Harden if one of them is guarding him. He has to be able to find a way to attack them in space, get to the basket, finish through contact, or get to the free-throw line. Unfortunately, he can't do any of this.
The Pistons are a much better defensive team and a much worse offensive team with Thompson on the floor. Overall, Thompson's net impact has been close to neutral in the playoffs. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Pistons are -1.1 points per 100 possessions worse with him on the floor than off.
Bickerstaff has to make a decision ahead of Game 6. Does he want to lean in to defense and win the game that way? Or does he feel like he needs to juice the offense to have a shot on the road?
If Duncan Robinson misses Game 6, the Pistons will have no choice but to go all-in on defense. If the sharpshooter returns, however, Bickerstaff will have a few more buttons to push in the do-or-die game. Will Thompson play less than 30 minutes in Game 6 like he did in Games 2-4, or play over 40 minutes as he did in Game 5?
Thompson's duality has helped the Pistons be an elite defense while limiting their offensive ceiling all season. Let's hope that the double-edged sword hurts the Cavs more than the Pistons in Game 6.
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