Detroit Pistons: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Bucks

3. Without Blake Griffin, a sweep is very possible

The Pistons were not an average Blake Griffin game away from winning this one. They would have needed the performance of a lifetime and then some to give them even a chance at a win in this Game 1 loss. The team shot below 40 percent from the field, and was even worse from 3-point range (29.6 percent). Could Griffin elevate them that much to eliminate that many shooting struggles? Probably not.

However, Griffin helps create space for his teammates with his ability to work both inside and outside, and he also is the team’s best passer, with his team-leading assist mark of 5.4 per game. They sorely missed his scoring, as they were turning to Langston Galloway and Ish Smith to be key scoring options, but that’s not how they’re meant to play. The Pistons need Griffin back in the lineup to give them more scoring, but he just makes offense easier for everyone else on the floor.

Unfortunately, Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo! Sports reports that Griffin is likely to miss the entire first round series with a left knee injury. After that Game 1 beating, no one could blame the Pistons if they decided to let him get fully healthy and prepare for next season instead.