First Preseason Game, Backup Center, Preseason Health Updates | The Weekly Drive
The Pistons beat the Bucks in the team's preseason opener, Isaiah Stewart is primed to be Detroit's backup center, and health updates on the roster.
Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Weekly Drive. Did you watch Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey in last night’s preseason game? If not, we’ve got you covered.
Preseason Game 1: Detroit 120, Milwaukee 87
How about that for a debut? The Detroit Pistons defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 120-87. Yes, it is the preseason. And no, Giannis Antetokounmpo did not suit up. But the Pistons looked significantly more engaged last night than at any point last season while playing for Monty Williams.
Let that sink in for a moment. At any point last season.
Once the Pistons calmed down after allowing a 20-3 run, it was a much different game. Ivey led all scorers with 22 points on 6/8 shooting including 3/3 from downtown and getting to the free-throw line nine times. Cunningham was effective with 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Jalen Duren, much maligned this past offseason for his poor defense looked better defending the rim and kicked in nine rebounds.
But the two biggest eye-openers may belong to the bench: Ron Holland and Marcus Sasser.
Holland, taking minutes for the injured Tobias Harris (illness) and Ausar Thompson (blood clots), not only looked like he belonged but that he deserved minutes. In 25 minutes he finished with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. His jumper is still not there, but, like Thompson last year, Holland is making his presence felt in other ways.
Sasser is fighting for a role on the team, with backup point guard his most likely avenue to minutes. He responded with a very positive game with 12 points and nine assists while not turning the ball over. That is a positive development for a player who has some juice, but not always a clean way of showing it on the court.
Again, it was the first preseason game and the Bucks were without their best player. But there were certainly some intriguing things to take away.
News and Notes
Isaiah Stewart appears to be the primary backup center this upcoming season, and he is excited about it.
Even Bucks’ head coach Doc Rivers called last season’s Pistons roster “A recipe for disaster.”
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talked about Detroit’s philosophy when it comes to threes, and it’s pretty interesting. Hint: it’s a lot better than whatever the plan was last season.
Rookie forward Bobbi Klintman missed last night’s game with a leg contusion, though it was regarded as “nothing serious”.
It’ll be a ball handler by committee for the Pistons when Cunningham sits, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Quite the first game for the Pistons, and hopefully a sign of things to come. Detroit has a few more preseason games lined up, so make sure you’re subscribed as we will surely be covering every minute of court time. See you next Monday.
Mike