It was a redemption song for new point guard Reggie Jackson. He had zero assists last game – 20 last night in a comeback win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
We all were singing the Pistons blues these last couple weeks. Finally, we erased our losing streak at the Palace despite trailing by 15 at halftime. Starting towards the end of the second quarter, we re-asserted ourselves and stayed hungrier than the second best team in the West (record-wise).
Andre Drummond was forced to be the big man without “The Moose” Greg Monroe. Moose sprained his ankle yesterday at practice, but still did his best to teach us while reporting with George and Kelser. Drummond overcame early foul trouble to stay in the game longer than fellow center Marc Gasol, whom he frustrated to the point of fouling out in the 4th.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope helped bring us back in the 3rd, where the Pistons responded to that halftime deficit with 36 points, tying their most in any quarter all season. And we’ve typically been struggling in this streak in that third. Pope scored a team-high 26 on 10/16 shooting and caught fire at the end of that quarter, hitting back-to-back threes to bring us within one heading to the fourth.
Jackson knew he had to play better, and thankfully he did. Only two turnovers plus 23 points led the way for Detroit. Tayshaun Prince also was a leader, helping handle the ball when we started to show some second quarter energy. Memphis simply did not want this like we did. Lack of coaching and togetherness, letting Vince Carter shoot so many threes he outscored Zach Randolph.
Carter cracked at the end and got T’d up. Z-Bo only snagged five rebounds all night and started to turn it over upon double teams. Drummond also made his free throws in the fourth. Prince caught a near turnover and Jordan-like finished to put the Pistons too far ahead against his old team. He informed us at halftime they take some time to get going, helping us pounce on them. Memphis disrespected the Palace Prince when he was there, rarely giving him time at the end.
Hopefully, Jackson can keep up his play. Also of note: Anthony Tolliver played real solid starting for Monroe, taking charges and playing clever defense against the bigger Randolph. If everyone keeps playing this hard, especially on D, we’ll win some more games and contend. Jackson showed our chemistry on a special bounce pass the length, and also on a reverse Drummond-Alley-Opp. LET’S GET IT, PISTONS!
We actually didn’t start that bad, it was just one lapse that let the second get out of control. Everyone knows that you throw stats out the window when the ball is tipped – it’s all about effort for 48 minutes. This is the blueprint.