Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat - 3/5/2024
Game Breakdown
Pistons - 110 - 118 L
Cade, Ivey, Ausar, Stew, Duren
Another 1st quarter where Duren picks up 2 fouls in the 1st quarter and another game where Wiseman comes in instead of just moving Stew to the “5”
Ausar being the lone starter to stay on the floor with the 2nd unit is just…..doesn’t make sense to me
Maybe this truly has something to do with how Ivey and Cade WANT there minutes to space out during a game, idk
Now Ivey back in for Ausar with the 2nd unit, I like this
This lineup goes on an 8-0 run to start the 2nd quarter and have another stop but give up an OREB and putback
Ivey responds to that with a transition layup (off the make) where he just speeds past everyone down the floor before the Heat defense can get settled
Have kept at least 1 starter on the court at all times even if it hasn’t been 1 of Ivey and Cade as I would like
I think Ivey and Ausar have some real chemistry in transition to the point where I would like to see lineups with those 2 on the floor together when you stagger Ivey without Cade and really let them get up and down the court
6:30 3RD QUARTER AND THE PISTONS EXECUTE AN OFF BALL SCREEN SWITCH
And it leads directly to a turnover
FINAL 4:00 OF THE GAME (down 3)
Completely blow transition matchup between Cade and Ivey gives Heat FTs
Ivey floater
Cade-Ivey just a touch late on a switch on a DHO and puts Cade behind navigating the ball screen that Rozier gets layup to go back up 5
Ivey TO leads to Robinson transition 3PM
So, I like the ATO that Monty runs for Fontecchio and it gets him a good look BUT I would like to see some more of this stuff ran for Cade (or even Ivey)
DUREN HAS to get better with his hand activity, you just can’t catch him with his hands down as often as you can right now
I realize I talk about this every game but I truly believe it’s a major factor in his defensive progression
Goodness, the footwork….every game I am so impressed and seems like he pulls it out in a new situation
HE CAN NOT BE A TO GUY
Back to Back mid 3rd quarter that lead to 5 Heat points
AUSAR with a great process in the 1st quarter
Gets a hard closeout to the corner (not sure why but if they do it), shot fakes and drives into the lane for the reverse layup
Last 4 GP he has been 6/12 from the corner 3PAs
CADE POSTER….!!! Okay, I see you
The careless, nonchalant turnovers have to stop
You live with the aggressive ones and he will even have volume because of his usage but these ones that are just flat out lackadaisical could/should/need to be eliminated
His defensive energy and attention to detail is lacking right now in the 1st quarter
Him knocking down these open C&S 3P opportunities is just such a game changer
I know it seems simple and kind of “duh” but man, everything just looks better and you can see the vision for it working better
Just continues to miss so many of these shots at the rim short
I know blocks happen but just wish he could find a way to finish some of these (gets blocked twice in the final 6 minutes of the game)
IVEY multiple efforts defensively and the improvement that has made has been talked about BUT
Man, it would be nice if he could show some growth navigating ball screens
Starting to even show some nuance playing off 2 feet when he gets into the lane and then finding a way to draw a foul
TO late in the game is very indicative of something he needs to improve moving forward
Just flat out loose with the ball at times, has to tighten that up
STEW starts on Butler and don’t have anything that stands out where that ends up being a major issue or negative
Still think Stew is most useful as a switch big onto these guys BUT if he can legit take some of these matchups (Paolo last game) that provides even more versatility than I thought
Has a shot fake, 2 dribble and kick to Fontecchio for an open 3PA
If he can just do this, even if it’s not super fluid that would be huge if Detroit is going to be adamant about playing him at the “4”
FONTECCHIO is going to be bring more offensively than I even though if he can really be a threat off the bounce
Has an awesome steal in ball screen defense coverage by just having active hands (turns it over right after in transition)
SASSER wiggle and separation ability is impressive but I still think he has to be a little bit more of an off the ball player AND
I think he is turning down C&S opportunities, it’s almost like he isn’t as comfortable with those
WISEMAN with another offensive foul
FOURNIER with a couple big 3PMs to start the 4th
One is awesome relocation when Stew had gotten stuck on the baseline
Heat
Rozier, Robinson, Butler, Jovic, Bam
JOVIC always surprises me with his size
Even if it isn’t always productive you can see the intrigue with his size and skill level
ROBINSON is such an elite shooter because it is so much more than just C&S
Got a little more wiggle off the bounce than you would give him credit for, he knows how to use his shooting gravity
Actually made a couple nice defensive plays in the 1st quarter as well
JAQUEZ already so crafty in the in between game and using shot fakes
MARTIN knocking down open C&S 3PAs
ROZIER is going to be so important for them in the playoffs
They are going to need the scoring
Gets a HUGE layup off a ball screen and attack downhill
BAM being confident and aggressive offensively is always something I am here for
Disrupts at least 2 what should have been easy lob passes to Duren
BUTLER was good in this game but he was an absolute closer to finish the game