Winning Streaks, Malik Beasley, and Killian Hayes | The Weekly Drive
Cade Cunningham is really good, in case you didn't notice. And, on a related note, the Pistons are playing their best basketball in years.
Hey there Pistons fans, it’s that time again for the Palace of Pistons Weekly Drive. Detroit have won six in a row, Malik Beasley is on a record-setting tear, and Simone Fontecchio suffered a hand injury. Let’s get into it.
Game Recaps
Game 56: Detroit 125, San Antonio 110
Rapid Detail: They didn’t have to face Victor Wembanyama, which certainly helps, but the Pistons took car of business in the Lonestar state regardless. A 19-0 second/third quarter run helped seal the deal.
Game 57: Detroit 148, Atlanta 143
Rapid Detail: Hard to believe that this game, which had a combined 291 points, didn’t even go to overtime. Cade Cunningham was absolutely masterful, the Pistons shot a season-best 59.1% from the floor, and went 20/40 from three-point territory. Oh, and Jalen Duren now has six-straight games with at least five assists.
Malik Beasley is on a Historical Run
The most underrated signing of the offseason may come from Detroit. With a one-year, six-million dollar contract, Malik Beasley has outperformed this salary by several echelons.
From NBA free agent writer Zach Lowe, there is one player in NBA history who has shot 42% or better from deep while attempting at least 11 threes per 36 minutes of action: Steph Curry, who has done it five times.
Beasley is on pace to be the second player on that list.
Its not hyperbole to say that Beasley is the third-most impactful piece of the Pistons turnaround, behind Cunningham and head coach J.B Bickerstaff. His bench scoring has been consistent, lethal, and at times unrelenting.
News and Notes
The Brooklyn Nets signed former Pistons 7th-overall pick Killian Hayes to a 10-day contract per ESPN. Hayes has been with the Nets’ G League team in Long Island, averaging 21 points and eight assists per game.
Simone Fontecchio suffered a hand injury Sunday against Atlanta and did not return to the game. He was ruled out pretty quickly, which is sometimes an indication of severity.
From the Athletic: an article about how Isaiah Stewart helped restart an after school program he used as a child in Rochester, providing students transportation, tutoring, and meals.
The Pistons wasted no time shaking off any rust from the time off during the All-Star break and appear poised for not just a spot in the Play-in Tournament but the playoffs at large. Its the stretch run of the regular season, make sure you aren’t missing out on some exciting basketball in Detroit.
See you next week.
Mike