The Pistons turned a momentum-swinging 50-point second quarter into a preseason victory over Memphis

Early on, the Detroit Pistons got off to a bit of a slow start in the team’s first preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight before settling into form for a comfortable 128-112 win on the road.

In the first quarter, the Grizzlies jumped out to a quick lead and went 6-for-6 from three-point range at one point in the opening stanza. Combined with Memphis’ sharp shooting, the Pistons committed nine turnovers in the opening quarter, so the home squad was able to stake out a 42-24 lead after the first quarter.

After that, Cade Cunningham and the Pistons really began to lock in and looked like the playoff team from a season ago. In the first half, Cunningham went 8-for-11 from the floor and showcased a variety of his game in the 20-point effort. Cunningham connected from deep, hit a couple mid-range shots, nailed a floater and converted an acrobatic up-and-under alley-oop on the break amid a strong second quarter effort for the Pistons.

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In that second frame, Detroit dropped 50 points on the Grizzlies and was really able to swing the momentum back in the road team’s favor. Tobias Harris added 13 points in the first half, and Isaiah Stewart, who maintained starting duties with Jalen Duren battling a hamstring injury, scored 12 points in his own right. Stewart was a physical defensive presence throughout his 18 minutes tonight, and he filled in for Duren in a more than competent fashion.

When Cunningham was on the bench, Detroit used a few different ball handlers to run the offense. Caris LeVert, in his debut for Detroit, was trusted to run the show at times, and both Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland took the ball up the floor in addition to jumpstarting fastbreaks. Last season, the Pistons scored the second-most fastbreak points in the league, so look for that high-octane style to continue throughout the 2025-26 season.

At the half, Detroit had mapped out a 10-point lead at 74-64, and the backups were able to keep the pressure high, posting 23 and 31-point quarters to secure an eventual 128-112 victory. During the second half, Paul Reed made his presence known and finished the game with 12 rebounds in 18 minutes as he patrolled the paint. 

Playing in front of his family for the first time as a pro, rookie Chaz Lanier scored 11 points in his Pistons preseason debut. Guard Marcus Sasser and big man Tolu Smith also equaled that total with 11-point outings of their own in Detroit’s win. 

After this, the Pistons will play preseason game No. 2 against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 8 pm, another road outing.

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