It's a Make or Miss League: 3 Makes and 3 Misses From Depleted Detroit's Depressing Defeat to the Sixers
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Detroit Pistons have fallen yet again at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers, 125-109. On a night where the injury bug struck a little bit harder than usual, it is far from surprising that the Pistons extend on what is now a five-game losing streak.
First Make: Bench Drummond Dominates
Due to a missed shootaround prior to the contest, Drummond was relegated to the bench to start this one - his first non-start since his rookie season.
In response, Drummond dominated in what looked like a lifeless performance from basically everyone else. With 27 points and 9 rebounds on 13-for-16 shooting, Dre continued to be one of this season's only bright spots for the Pistons.
This also happened:
https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons/status/1209290595732209664
First Miss: DRose and Blake... Playing Injured?
With injuries becoming a prominent component of this season, it was surprising to see both Blake and Derrick "trying to" play when neither is 100 percent, per Rod Beard of the Detroit News:
https://twitter.com/detnewsRodBeard/status/1209237963974021120
It was quickly, and unsurprisingly, realized that Griffin should have sat this one out... as is the case with most games he's played in this season, unfortunately. The 2018-19 All-NBA forward struggled to only eight points on a ghastly 2-of-14 shooting night. Blake's shooting continues to free fall to all-time lows in terms of efficiency, with no silver linings in sight.
Second Make: First Half Svi
With the absence of both Bruce Brown and Luke Kennard tonight, it was Svi Mykhailiuk who got the starting nod tonight. In just third start of the season, the second-year sharpshooter took advantage, shooting 100 percent on his field goals in the first half.
Not to mention, these were all 3-pointers, giving the Ukrainian nine points (3-for-3 3PM) going into halftime. He finished the contest with 14 points, as he lead the starters in points at the break and end of the game.
Second Miss: Simmons Has a Field Day
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
With a fully-healthy Sixers lineup taking on a depleted Pistons team, it seemed inevitable that at least one of Philly's stars would blow up for a big game. Two did, in fact, with Tobias Harris leading both teams with a very efficient 35 games against one of his former teams.
It was Ben Simmons, however, who took advantage of Detroit's extremely shallow backcourt en route to a triple-double and a career-high 17 dimes. Without Bruce Brown to pester him all over the court, Simmons was able to have his way in a game that emphasized his plethora of strengths.
Third Make: Christian Wood = Quick Buckets
After being sidelined with a knee strain suffered against Toronto last week, Christian Wood missed two games before somewhat returning to the lineup against Philadelphia.
Playing in only four minutes, Wood looked like his usual spry self as he dunked his way to eight points in half the minutes. The exciting young combo-big continues to make an impact on the offensive end, no matter what role he is thrust into.
https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons/status/1209289426603511808
Third Miss: Demolished on the Glass
The Pistons continued to struggle on the backboard against one of - if not the tallest team in the league. With Detroit going smaller than usual due to injuries combined with Drummond starting this one out on the bench, it's easy to see why Philly out-rebounded Detroit 48 to 30 - an alarming difference.
Drummond will be - and should already be - recognized as one of the league's greatest rebounders in history. However, it will also be truly polarizing how so many of the Pistons teams he has been a part of are either average of bad at rebounding. Get this man some help...