Detroit Pistons: 5 Takeaways From Game 1 Vs. Cavaliers
2. Starters Must Play Like Starters
Detroit’s starters played good enough to win the game, but were not great. They lacked consistency offensively, and struggled to get anything out of Harris or Drummond on the offensive end.
Marcus Morris was playing the game of his life in the first half. Morris scored 19 of his 20 points in the first half and looked unstoppable, until he couldn’t make a shot in the second half. Nobody answered the call to step up in the second half, where the Pistons were outscored 53-43.
Drummond was getting more touches in the post due to the Cavs effectiveness on trapping Detroit’s pick-and-rolls. Drummond was ineffective in the low post, despite having a favorable matchup with Thompson. Drummond went to his hook shot for offense in the post, but rarely backed down to get better position and a high-percentage look.
Instead he would take one dribble and attempt his hook shot.
FYI, Reggie Jackson is the leading clutch scorer in the NBA (last five minutes of a game with five-point-or-less differential).
— David Mayo (@David_Mayo) April 17, 2016
For the star player that Drummond is, he has to be better and more effective in the post. The same goes for point guard Reggie Jackson, who scored 17 points. However, Jackson had 39 points and nine assists in his regular season finale a week earlier against the Washington Wizards.
Jackson is the most clutch player in the NBA this season, but he didn’t play like it, especially picking up a technical foul late in the fourth quarter.
Collectively, the starters have to put together two halves of basketball. In fact, five starters have to show up and play a good game to give themselves a chance to win against the Cavs. It’s that simple.
Next: 1. Limit The Big 3