The Detroit Pistons will look to bounce back from a tough double-digit loss to the Orlando Magic in game one
During game one of the Detroit Pistons first round series with the Orlando Magic, the top squad in the Eastern Conference ran into a problem that they were warned about all throughout the regular season.
During crunch time in the Pistons’ 112-101 loss on Sunday, the Magic opted to pack the paint for a result that was two-fold. First, having extra defensive bodies in the post negated the threat of All-Star center Jalen Duren, who finished the game with just four shot attempts and eight points, so their strategy was effective in that regard. Secondly, the concept of extra defenders down low could stunt Cade Cunningham’s effectiveness, but the fifth-year floor general found a way to score 39 points despite that obstacle.
But in game two, the Pistons are planning to take a different approach so that they can regain even footing against the Magic before the series heads down to Orlando.
“We have to put the ball in his hands,” Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Duren. “I think they did a good job of pinching his pick and roll and not letting him get the ball in the pick and roll, but we’ve got to do a better job of letting him touch it in different places, then he’ll be able to execute.”
While Duren’s lack of production certainly weighed Detroit down in their postseason home opener, the Magic also pulled away during the second half when Ausar Thompson was out of the game. Prior to tip-off, Thompson was named as a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award, but the ace defender had his impact nerfed during the second half in lieu of playing time for more dangerous perimeter shooters as the Pistons staked out a potential comeback.
“It’s one of those balancing acts that you’re trying to figure out what you need,” Bickerstaff began. “Having more ball handlers on the floor, being able to take Cade off the ball some, kind of free him up, so you’re balancing that to be aggressive in that quarter and find some success off the ball, but again it’s one of those things that you’re trying to figure out in the moment what you need now. We know how important AT is for us. He’ll have a consistent role as always because we know how impactful he is.”
The level at which Thompson is able to impact the game is directly tied to how much he ends up playing, so it remains to be seen how Bickerstaff will manage his minutes going forward. Thompson’s starting role is not in jeopardy, but the Pistons’ coach has regularly chosen to play more dangerous perimeter shooters during the fourth quarter, which has risen as a point of contention among Detroit supporters all season long.
But after practice on Tuesday, Bickerstaff mentioned that his squad is prepared to make changes in their attack before game two tips off in the Motor City tomorrow night.
“There’s ways around it,” Bickerstaff said. “There’s different ways to space the floor that we can create openings, and we’re aware of it.”
Game two is slated to commence on Wednesday, April 22 at 7 pm at Little Caesars Arena in Motown.
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