It's A Make Or Miss League: 3 Observations From Pistons Late Loss To Portland

The Detroit Pistons' comeback efforts did not last tonight as they would falter and eventually lose to the Portland Trailblazers 107-104. However, within all losses comes some bright spots. Here are three bright observations from tonight's contest.

1. Brandon Knight's best game as a Piston (Round 2)

Brandon Knight looked like Brandon Knight of old tonight. Knight led the bench brigade on a 17-0 run in the second quarter, scoring 13 points in 10 first-half minutes. Knight only played 20 minutes in tonight's contest, but they were 20 important minutes. In his playing time tonight, Knight was able to post 15 points, three assists, and two rebounds on 50 percent shooting from the floor.

https://twitter.com/PalaceOfPistons/status/1231773976499757056

Knight's 15 points tonight were a season-high for him this season and were the most he's scored since April 7, 2019.

2. The bench's superb play

The Pistons bench was the main reason that Detroit even found themselves in this basketball game tonight. Knight and Christian Wood led the second unit on a few lengthy runs, one as big as 17-0 in the second quarter. However, the bench as a whole was phenomenal as they outscored Portland's bench 70-10.

However, the bench player with the most impressive performance tonight was Christian Wood. Though Wood came off the bench instead of starting, he was absolutely phenomenal with 26 points and 9 rebounds in 30 minutes of action. Wood was uber-efficient from the field shooting 60 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three. Wood continuously hit big shot after big shot, even shushing the crowd at one point.

https://twitter.com/PalaceOfPistons/status/1231789498637279234

Langston Galloway added 15 points along with Bruce Brown who contributed eight points and 10 rebounds.

3. Bruce Brown continues to impress

Bruce Brown has continued to show flashes of being a floor general, as well as a defensive anchor and that continued tonight.

Brown tallied his fourth straight game of 10 or more rebounds, becoming the first Pistons guard in team history to accomplish that feat.

https://twitter.com/PalaceOfPistons/status/1231793868238139395

Since Andre Drummond's departure, Brown has been able to showcase his rebounding ability as he has led the Pistons on the glass the past four games.

Detroit's loss tonight puts them at 19-40 on the season. Their next game is February 25 against Denver at 9:00 p.m.

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