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Detroit Pistons Secure First Win: A Veteran-Led Triumph
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) shoots in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
|Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons finally notched their first win of the season against the Philadelphia 76ers, a victory that was as much about grit as it was about skill. Despite the absence of Joel Embiid and Paul George from the 76ers lineup, the Pistons capitalized on the opportunity, showcasing the importance of veteran presence in crucial moments.
Veterans Lead the Charge
In the fourth quarter, with the 76ers closing in on a 10-point deficit, the Pistons’ veterans stepped up to seal the game. Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr. were instrumental, combining for 16 of the team’s 20 points in the final quarter. Harris, who had a slow start, found his rhythm in the second half, finishing with 18 points. His performance was a testament to resilience, especially after being booed by the Philadelphia crowd throughout the game. Hardaway Jr. was equally impressive, hitting crucial three-pointers and maintaining offensive pressure.
The contributions of these seasoned players were exactly what the Pistons needed. Their ability to perform under pressure helped the team overcome a mental block that had plagued them in previous games. This breakthrough could be pivotal for the Pistons as they look to build momentum in the coming games.
The Impact of Open Shots
The Pistons have been generating open shots, particularly in the fourth quarter, but converting these opportunities has been a challenge. According to Dan Favale of Bleacher Report, the Pistons are among the top teams in creating wide-open jumpers, yet their effective field goal percentage remains low. This game, however, saw a shift as Harris and Hardaway Jr. capitalized on these chances, demonstrating the potential of this young team when their veterans deliver.
Tim Hardaway Jr.'s performance has been a pleasant surprise. Despite initial skepticism following his trade, he has exceeded expectations, particularly with his aggressive shooting and ability to stretch the floor. His contributions, along with those of Harris and Malik Beasley, who added 11 points, highlight the critical role of veteran players in supporting the Pistons’ young core.
The Pistons’ ability to close out games will depend heavily on their veterans’ consistency. If they can maintain this level of play, it could significantly impact the team’s performance in the long run.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pistons’ strategies and player performances, tune into the Locked On Pistons podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pistons Podcast:
- The role of Isaiah Stewart in the Pistons’ defensive strategy
- Analysis of Cade Cunningham’s evolving game
- The impact of Jalen Duren’s defensive struggles
- A look at the Pistons’ upcoming matchups and what to expect
Sinful. Diabolical. Those are just a couple of the words The Ringer’s Danny Chau uses to describe LaMelo Ball’s playing style.
Watch
The Pistons defeated the Sixers 105-95 last night. Couldn’t tune in? Check out the full game highlights.
Feel Good
The Pistons finally notched their first win of the season. “Guys are excited, obviously,” Bickerstaff said. “To be able to get the first one means something for this group.” (Detroit Pistons on SI)
3peat (ICYMI)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
Why Detroit Pistons’ Fourth Quarter Struggles Aren’t About Execution Can the Detroit Pistons Overcome Their Fourth Quarter Woes? The Detroit Pistons have faced tough challenges in their opening games, losing late leads despite strong performances. With Jaden Ivy’s impressive start and Cade Cunningham’s improved play, the Pistons show promise even with an 0-3 record.
Detroit Pistons’ Fourth Quarter Woes Lose Them Fourth Straight: Can They Fix It? The Detroit Pistons are facing a troubling trend, faltering in the fourth quarter and losing their grip on games. With a defensive rating that ranks 26th, the Pistons are struggling to find their footing, often leaving opponents with open shots. Cade Cunningham’s early game brilliance is overshadowed by foul troubles, while veterans like Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley aren’t delivering the offensive punch needed to compensate for defensive lapses.
Detroit Pistons’ Slow Start: Is It Already Time To Worry? Can the Detroit Pistons Turn Their Season Around? The Detroit Pistons have stumbled out of the gate with an 0-4 start, but is it too soon to hit the panic button? With a challenging early schedule, there’s hope for improvement as the season progresses. Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey are showing promising chemistry, a bright spot amid the slow start.
Last week in this space, I briefly mentioned the huge number of whistles we’d seen this season compared to the previous campaign, something that’s since been corroborated by others. But there’s another leaguewide trend worth watching. The NBA is seeing a surge in offensive rebounding — one that I think will stick.
The average offensive rebounding rate sits at 28.9%, the highest for a 10-day sample in the last decade by a mile. After a nadir in offensive rebounding in the late 2010s and early 2020s, the last few seasons have seen rates ticking slowly but surely back up, like a turtle climbing a hill. But nothing in recent history has compared to what we’ve seen in these first 10 days:
So what’s going on? Offensive rebounding used to be considered a double-edged sword. In general, crashing the glass meant giving up more in transition, and for years, the increasingly trendy focus on limiting fast break opportunities (thanks for killing fun, Coach Popovich!) cut off the O-boarding oxygen supply.
But teams are increasingly figuring out how to balance the two in pursuit of winning. Several of last year’s best regular-season teams emphasized window-wiping: New York, Denver, Phoenix, and Boston were all top-11 offensive-rebounding teams. (So were Portland and Utah, to be fair, but teams that struggle to score in more traditional ways often emphasize the offensive glass, too.)
Why are teams hungry to recover their own misses, and how are they doing so? (And don’t forget to click through for the Mildly Interesting Stat of the Week!)
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Victor Wembanyama’s Early Struggles In Fantasy Basketball
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) works to steal the ball from Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) after he fell to the floor during the second half at Paycom Center.
|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The NBA season is in full swing, and with it comes a slew of injuries and unexpected player performances that can significantly impact your fantasy basketball strategy. Here’s a look at the latest updates and insights to help you navigate these changes.
Key Injury Updates
Scottie Barnes is out with an orbital fracture, sidelining him for at least three weeks. This opens up opportunities for other Toronto Raptors players to step up, potentially offering valuable fantasy pickups.
The New Orleans Pelicans are dealing with injuries to CJ McCollum and Herb Jones. McCollum’s adductor issue and Jones’ shoulder problem could keep them out for multiple games, affecting the Pelicans’ lineup and fantasy prospects.
Player Struggles: Victor Wembanyama and Zion Williamson
Victor Wembanyama’s early-season performance has been underwhelming, especially for those who drafted him high. In a recent game, he took only five shots, raising concerns about his role and usage. While it’s too early to panic, fantasy managers should monitor his situation closely, as his potential remains high.
Zion Williamson is also off to a rocky start, with shooting percentages well below expectations. Despite playing 33 minutes in a recent game, his field goal percentage has been alarmingly low. This could be attributed to lingering effects from an illness, but it’s a situation that requires close attention from fantasy managers.
Click the button below to learn why there’s concern over Jrue Holiday, as well as a possible new streaming option out in Indianapolis.
