Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks 2/26/2024
Game Breakdown
Pistons - 111 - 113 L
Cade, Ivey, Fontecchio, Ausar, Duren
First Action of the Game
I actually like the idea behind it but does not prove to be fruitful
Ivey off a DHO going to his right hand (would have liked to see him more aggressive) and then back screen from Fontecchio for Duren after he gave the hand off
Fontecchio probably should have just had a C&S but tries to attack closeout and takes “negative step” onto sideline
Pistons are actually on the officials the ENTIRE game, right from the start they were upset about calls that were not being made
They just aren’t making the little plays right now or the plays in big moments
On a run, get a Brunson missed layup but don’t get the DREB
Ausar steals the pass on ensuing possession and ends up in a loose ball that Brunson dives on the floor for and DiVincenzo makes a wide open C&S corner 3P
Cade does answer this with a 3 of his own (WOW!)
Fournier great on ball defense vs Brunson in the 4th wasted by missed transition layup (and goaltend)
Tie game late with the ball and Cade TO leads to DiVincenzo 3PM
Giving up OREBs late
FT checkout where they had a double team on (x2!!!!)
Can not let Sims dominate the offensive boards to the tune of 4 in the 1st half
Feel like the bigs did no convert off the guards drives and misses at the rim
Yes, the guard needs to finish but the bigs should be able to feast on these
CADE first C&S 3PM is exactly what he needs to be able to do to make this work
Ivey running wing ball screen and could get downhill but Cade man is helping off
Ivey kicks, Cade knocks down….eventually (if he keeps making shots), his man will stop helping like this and it will open that drive for Ivey
This man can get to his spots, I fully believe that, I feel like it has always been “can he finish?” (when he has spacing) and over the past few games he has been able to finish
You see in the 3rd quarter he just isn’t able to finish some of the attempts at the rim
He is absolutely picking apart this Knicks defense in the 1st quarter
Not to be a downer here but they have Cade perfect from the field right now and pretty sure he had a shot blocked in the 1st quarter…..????
I am starting to really wonder about the decision making….
Is it just lack of focus/careless
OR does he struggle to read the floor at times?
Everything is short in the 4th quarter
AUSAR with ANOTHER 8-10 feet fadeaway (tell me if you have read this before)
This one is out of a screen and short roll and actually shows some really nice pivot/footwork
He does hit a HUGE corner 3 BUT then the very next possession his lack of floor gravity allows Hartenstein to contest the lob to Duren
IVEY with much better process early in the game
Turns down an early shot clock 3PA to drive and kick (keeping advantage) and eventually Fontecchio uses that advantage for a drive and layup
Continued to attack the rim early (even though it seems like his actual finishing has regressed a little) and these attempts/misses do seem to open a lot of OREB opportunities BUT
HATE the 3PA in transition around 6:30 mark of the 1st quarter, does it again a couple possession later (no, get rid of these)
3.3 3PAs in his first 30 Games this Season
Has skyrocketed to 5.6 in the 23 since
DUREN explosiveness in traffic and from a stand still is still something I want to monitor moving forward
I do think it is important because he doesn’t have elite length to start with
He does continue to flash some better hand activity in ball screens
Specifically, watch how much more often he gets a hand in the pocket passing window
FOURNIER has the Knicks franchise record for 3PM in a season
In complete honesty and transparency, he has provided the Pistons more already than I thought
Didn’t think he would play a single second but he is coming in and making shots and trying (at times) defensively
Had the steal on Brunson early in the 4th and then gets another later in the 4th with an off the ball dig
WISEMAN continues to get illegal screens, I want to blame the ball handlers but it’s happened with like 5-6 different ones
EVBUOMWAN making a positive impact
Gets downhill on a drive
Takes a charge
Great iso defensive possession vs Bojan in the 4th
GRIMES struggling from 3P right now but I feel like the misses are truly “in and out” type of misses
Defensive energy to start the 4th quarter was awesome
Much like Fontecchio, he is showing more off the bounce than I was giving him credit for pre trade
Finds his jumpers and hits some CLUTCH 3P
FLYNN continues to show an ability to pressure the lane
I realize you aren’t playing him over Sasser (when he is healthy) but he’s just a player that I think is an NBA backup PG
***My download missed about 5 minutes of game action in the 2nd quarter from roughly 9:00 to 4:00 so there won’t be any notes on that part of the game***
Knicks
Brunson, DiVincenzo, Hart, Achiuwa, Hartenstein
They have some REALLY beautiful offensive possessions early where the ball just stays moving and keeps the defense off balance
BRUNSON is just tooo crafty
Along with his skill and strength
His deceleration and balance is unreal
Just going off here in the 1st, hitting tough/deep 3PAs
What a HUSTLE play from the star player at the end of the 2nd quarter
Dives on the floor for a loose ball and ends up with DiVincenzo for a wide open C&S 3PM
This stopped a Pistons run
Going to end up pretty high on the list of Knicks 30+ point games in a single season
ACHIUWA getting a chance to start and he is taking advantage, love when guys take advantage of their opportunities
SIMS making his impact felt by simply being an OREB guy
DIVINCENZO has been so good, just doing his job and making shots