Detroit Pistons vs Chicago Bulls 2/27/2024
Game Breakdown
Pistons - 105 - 95 W!
Cade, Ivey, Ausar, Stew, Duren
Absolutely do not agree with this starting lineup
I understand you probably have to start 1 of Ausar and Stew (even though I would rather both come off the bench) but there is absolutely no reason to start both of them
EVEN IF the Bulls went big with Drummond-Vuc you still start Fontecchio at the 3
DUREN gets 2 early fouls
Why bring in Wiseman? Sub in Fontecchio and slide Stew to the 5
I WILL SAY that the defense has been very solid in the early goings
I do think that overall their defensive rotations have improved since the start of the season
AUSAR and IVEY in transition has had real chemistry and production
Go on a turnover spree in the 3rd quarter or this game actually could have had a bigger spread at the end
Usually these types of stretches (when they can’t extend a lead in the middle of the game) come back to haunt them at the end
All 2nd Unit + Ausar to end the 3rd quarter and start the 4th quarter gives up the lead…..what’s the response?
Huge transition 3PM from Fontecchio
Back to back bad decisions from Flynn
HUGE OREB and 3PM for Fontecchio
Flynn loose ball DREB and transition bucket
*Defense has had some solid possessions through this as well*
Another Fontecchio OREB and layup
HAVE a 1 POINT LEAD when Cade/Ivey/Duren return…wasn’t always pretty but the net result you will take
DEROZAN was going crazy in the 1st half but I thought the defenders actually adjusted well in the 2ndd half forcing crazy tough shots w/o fouling him
PISTONS are the beneficiaries of MULTIPLE 2nd half OREBs and 2nd chance opportunities
STEW return to the lineup after injury and suspension
Not that it matters but I am still shocked we have not had the video of the incident leaked
Nice rim protection block, feel like he is better at this than I give him credit for at times
Jumper is short early in the game
Every miss has been short
Okay, finding that shooting touch a little bit here early in the 3rd
He has gotten pretty good at getting post position where he can just catch, pivot and score
These types are valuable for him and the team (completely different than if he was catching 12 feet from the rim and then taking 3-5 dribbles in a post iso)
IVEY hands in ball screen defensive situations is another aspect of his defense that has improved this season
Gets a deflection in this situation early in the game
The block on White in the third quarter is the epitome of his growth as a defender
Still plenty of room for growth BUT now he is giving 2nd/3rd efforts when he does give up an advantage and that allows his athleticism to shine through to take away opportunities
Throwing some absolute DIMES in the 1st quarter, HC and Transition
Getting a lesson from Caruso tonight on ALWAYS being intense and engaged with the ball
SLOB pass to Cade, HC on ball steal directing Fontecchio
CADE picking right up where he left off previous games
Getting to his spots and making shots
Even the left hand up and under looked like a lot of work to get to BUT ultimately he got a really good look and just missed
He looks REALLY good right now AND I think his defensive effort has been better since the ASB
Shooting from 3 at THIS level may not be sustainable BUT having this as an offensive weapon does unlock a lot with the rest of his game (and him playing with Ivey)
57% on 7 3PAs in his last 4 GP
46% on 4.3 3PAs in 12 GP since returning from injury
FLYNN hits a couple big jump shots at end of the 1st quarter when DeRozan was cookin’ and keeps the Pistons in striking distance
He has to eliminate the bad decisions
Pistons just have too many of these “role players” that are committing 1 or 2 turnovers a game (Ausar, Duren, etc.)
Rough back to back possessions in the 4th with a TO and air balled 3PA
DUREN is one of these guys that HAS to eliminate the silly turnovers
You can ALMOST live with Cade and Ivey because of the upside of what they do and how much usage they have but Duren has to be able to produce without making the amount of mistakes he currently does
FONTECCHIO defense has been solid from what I have seen up to this point but he is STRUGGLING with DeRozan right now in the 1st half
8th most Corner 3PM in the NBA this season
He was HUGE at the start of the 4th quarter, OREBs and buckets
AUSAR never disappoints with that 6-10 feet fadeaway jumper, he has to making that specific shot at like 75% right now
Does this give you hope that he can eventually stretch his jump shot out to the 3P line? (it does look smooth)
The thing that could be special about this specific shot is he is so athletic and jumps so high on it that it might legit be unblockable
DAGGER 3!!!! He has had multiple games this year where he has hit clutch corner 3s….maybe another reason for some long term hope
GRIMES looks like he is playing just a little too fast right now
Bulls
White, Caruso, Ayo, DeRozan, Vucevic
They have so many perimeter defenders that flat out get after you
CARUSO picking Cade up FC and instantly disrupting things
4th in the NBA in Deflections per game
VUC and DRUMMOND 4th and 5th among active players in career double-doubles
James, CP3, Russ are 1,2,3
VUC in the short roll floater over and over and over
Looked pretty darn good in the mid range in this one
Now he is hitting jump shots which we know the Pistons bigs struggle with
DRUMMOND stays crushing people on the OREBs
DEROZAN doesn’t take a FGA for the first 8 minutes of the game and then just goes on an absolute heater to close the 1st quarter
Just a masterclass in the 1st half