NBA Power Rankings Week 5: How good are the Utah Jazz?

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 21, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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64. . 3-13. Previous: 30th. Detroit Pistons. 29. team

Last Week: Lost to Miami Heat 113-107, Lost/OT to Atlanta Hawks 123-115, Lost to Houston Rockets 103-102, Lost to Philadelphia 76ers 114-110

This Week: 1/25 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 1/27 at Cleveland Cavaliers, 1/28 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 1/30 at Golden State Warriors

The Detroit Pistons finally finished a week without a win against a playoff caliber team but it was not for lack of trying. Almost more unfortunate, Saturday marked the first game since December 23 that Jerami Grant did not break the 20 point barrier. He had been on the hottest streak in the league, now snapped at 14 games.

As odd as it may sound, the Pistons actually look better when their older players are on the bench, save for Wayne Ellington. Ellington is shooting the skin off the ball, hitting an unbelievable 50.0 percent from three on 6.2 attempts per game. Of all the older members of this team, he is acquitting himself best and looks like the type of guy who returns a pick to the tanking team at the deadline.

Close games and young guys developing is the goal of this season. The Pistons don’t need to win games, which is good since they seem incapable of closing them out. This will be a long season for Dwane Casey as he continues to do whatever he can to win games. Good for him, the only people likely to be more annoyed are the centers who have to deal with the rambunctious Isaiah Stewart.