Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans - 3/24/2024
Game Breakdown
Pistons - 101 - 114 L
Sasser, Ivey, Brown Jr., Metu, Wiseman
Honestly, they kept this thing way closer and more “respectable” than I thought before the game and definitely after the 1st quarter
I realize that’s not something to write home about but it does say something for the guys that did play
First two attempts don’t hit the rim….could be in for a long night (which isn’t unexpected with what’s left of this roster)
Little frustrating that Wiseman and Brown Jr. get the first two attempts
If there was ever a time to just let Sasser and Ivey go crazy, this is it
6 Turnovers in the first 6 minutes of the game (9 total in the 1st quarter and 6 are not from Sasser/Ivey)
Multiple from non-Ivey/Sasser players
Though Ivey does have a couple bad ones that are just off target passes, not even bad reads, just can’t get the ball where it needs to go
Feel like he does a really bad job reading/anticipating the off ball movements of his teammates
Blow a 3 on 2 fast break that should have ended in a layup
I realize this game is a complete disaster with the roster BUT I think the turnovers should be one of the major culture points of emphasis over the offseason and into next year
Whether that is personnel based decisions, emphasis based decisions, play style based decisions
WHAT IS UP WITH THIS TEAM AND SHOOTING WITH 10 SECONDS ON THE CLOCK IN END OF CLOCK SITUATIONS?????
Transition defense is pretty rough….seems like nobody even knows they are supposed to be the ones getting back
Pelicans aren’t even a top 10 team in PACE for the entire season
Is it because they are playing so much zone???? And the guards aren’t protecting back to the lane until the bigs get back and are just settling into their “zone” at the top of the key allowing the passes over the top…???
ATO in the 2nd QUARTER
They run the action I have mentioned before where Duren has got wide open dunks in PnR with Cade because Fontecchio man is the tag man
This time they run it and tag man goes with the roller…..which leaves Boeheim wide open for a C&S 3PM
WISEMAN gets that offensive foul/TO after just 3 possessions in this game
Lack of ability to adjust to the way he is being officiated is a tad worrisome (if you even think he has a long term future with Detroit)
Starts the 2nd half with another one……goodness, this is frustrating
EVEN if it’s the guards going to early, at some point you have to adjust to that
Make it 3…..
Continues to take advantage of the minutes he does get in terms of making some shots
IVEY gets banged up a little at the start of the game and Monty has a sub at the table for him
Absolutely could have used this as a reason to go sit out (especially with all the other players out of this game) but stays in the game
Has been a very available player through the first 2 years of his career
Have discussed multiple times where I think his biggest growth needs to come offensively….DEFENSIVELY, the off ball awareness, it can’t continue to be THIS bad
5:10 1st quarter he gives up a wide open 3PM because he is ball watching and gets off ball screened by Alvarado
Please stop “settling” for 3PAs….please stop “settling” for 3PAs
Of course he hits his next two attempts after I type this out, make that 3
Beautiful attack of Jones in isolation, all to his left hand, uses body to create separation and finishes with his left
And then just a brutal TO on the next possessions where…..he misjudges a teammates off the ball movement
EVBUOMWAN has to make these open C&S 3PAs if ever has a chance of sticking in the league
I think he has missed 4 really good looks so far through 2.5 quarters
I do like some of his off ball movement and cutting
He just has to figure out how to make shots at a high enough rate
SASSER has really struggled to start the game
Hasn’t even been able to create that separation to create anything for himself
NICE, relocation C&S 3PM….these are the ones I want to see more of
FLYNN comes in and actually creates a couple open C&S 3PAs for teammates but they are missed
Good start to 2nd quarter as he hits a 3 and then creates one for Boeheim
He’s flat out gotta shoot the ball better than we have seen
When he makes shots, it looks pretty good as bench guard
I thought this was one of his better games for Detroit not forcing shots for himself and looking more to create for his teammates
He does some of the little things with hustling and I think he’s solid on the ball defensively
Had like 2 or 3 just hustle OREBs
FOURNIER continuing to struggle
BOEHEIM knocking down the 3PAs he is getting here in the first half, take advantage of your opportunities!
Even does a couple nice things off the bounce
Little thing but you are legit ONLY in the game to make 3P shots, you can NEVER turn down an open corner attempt
Does so early 4th quarter BUT shoots the very next one and knocks it down
METU does show some ability to put the ball on the deck…..
Problem is, half the time the result isn’t positive
That’s a REALLY nice block on Murphy III at the rim because he is a big time athlete
Pelicans
McCollum, Jones, Murphy III, Zion, Valanciunas
They have a really interesting collection of perimeter defenders
Been a top 5 team in the league for the month of March
I enjoy the way the ball moves for them offensively
JONES is such an impactful defender
Back to back possessions
Steal from behind on a driver
On ball deflection and steal that takes away what would have been layup for open man in the paint
He is SOOO good defensively and so many disruptive plays
AND knocking down C&S 3PAs, something that has really grown this year
46% on CORNER attempts
ALVARADO impresses me every time I watch him play with just the way he keeps the flow of the offense going
All of the little things he does directing, player movement, ball movement, etc.
Kick ahead passes in transition
Not just the defensive playmaking but his anticipation and rotations
MARSHALL continues to knock down open C&S 3P
I think he has a very productive player for them this season
He is also now trying to do the Alvardo steal from behind after a made shot
ZION just getting anything he wants, as to be expected against this team
Really excited to see how he looks in the playoffs this season (hopefully with a healthy BI)
He was UNSTOPPABLE in this game, even against this Pistons team you could see how much of a problem he can be
MCCOLLUM is a player I still really believe in as an off the ball, spot up player playing off their other stars
Side Note: I coached against him during his freshman year at Lehigh when I was Director of Ops at American the year after I graduated