The Detroit Pistons have a problem at center. Jalen Duren continues to be a shell of himself. Isaiah Stewart can't seem to get out of foul trouble and creates offensive issues when he is on the court. One of Detroit's biggest strengths during the regular season has turned into a weakness in the playoffs.
That is why Paul Reed needs be a bigger part of the plan for the Pistons going forward.
Reed saw action for the first time in the Cavs series in Game 3. He had 11 points and three rebounds on 4/4 shooting from the field. The Pistons won his minutes by 11. He was eventually subbed out in the final five minutes when the game was tied. Detroit ended up losing the game by seven.
Reed deserves more minutes in Game 4 vs. Cavaliers
It behooves JB Bickerstaff to increase Reed's minutes in Game 4 and beyond. The 26-year-old center is the most overqualified third-string center in the league. Every time Duren or Stewart was out during the season, Reed stepped up in a big way, starting in 11 games. In only 13.9 minutes per game, Reed averaged 7.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks while shooting 61.7% from the field.
Reed certainly has his shortcomings. He is undersized at six-foot-nine. He doesn't have the elite length, strength, and athleticism to be a dominant interior presence.
However, he can do a little bit of everything. He can rebound, protect the rim, and finish around the basket. He showcased his ability to make plays in the short roll on Saturday. When the Cavs sent a double team to Cade Cunningham, Reed was able to take advantage, playing four on three. He can keep the ball moving, put it on the floor, or attack the basket.
That is something Duren and Stewart have both struggled with in these playoffs. Duren hasn't been able to create good shots for himself all postseason. As Carson Breber pointed out on X, Duren is 2/12 on drives and 0/8 on isolation plays in the playoffs. His efficiency took a massive hit through ten games, his True Shooting going from 68.8% in the regular season to 54.8% in the playoffs.
Stewart has similarly struggled on offense. His defensive impact has been excellent throughout the playoffs, but his offensive production has been close to nonexistent. He has a minuscule usage rate at 12.4%, has six more turnovers than assists, and hasn't been taking threes in the playoffs.
When the Pistons are getting so little from their other centers, it only makes sense to give Reed a try. He is not as good as Duren offensively and not as good as Stewart defensively, but he may be the right balance of two-way ability. And that may be what the Pistons need right now.
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