| Detroit Free Press
Top 10 NBA title candidates for 2021: Who added them, who lost them
Free Press’ Pistons editor Marlowe Alter looks at ten NBA candidates for the 2021 season and examines who they added and lost in the off-season.
Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press
While the game ended with another loss, there are positive things to take from the game Detroit Pistons’ performance Monday.
With Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose on the bench due to rest, the Pistons fell to 0-3 with a 128-120 loss to the Hawks in Atlanta. But those were encouraging signs of the Pistons’ rookies and strong performances from the other veterans on the rankings. The Pistons trailed 24: 7 in the fourth quarter with 7:43 left, but used a 26-9 run to reduce the deficit to five with 1:05 left. It was a reverse of their first two games in which they squandered late runs.
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The game will give head coach Dwane Casey a lot to consider before the Pistons host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.
Pistons embrace the youth
Blake Griffin played 44 minutes in the double overtime loss against the Cavaliers on Saturday. Derrick Rose played 33 minutes off the bench.
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To keep their two veterans fresh, the Pistons chose to rest Griffin and Rose Monday against the Hawks. This opened the door for more minutes for the rookies and young players. Many of them took the opportunity.
While Griffin was absent, Jerami Grant moved up to the power forward position, and Saddiq Bey and Josh Jackson were promoted to fill the starting lineup. Jahlil Okafor also missed the game after injuring his ankle on Saturday and opening the door for Isaiah Stewart to make his NBA debut.
Stewart was perhaps the most impressive Pistons rookie on Monday. He had seven rebounds in his first 11 minutes of action. Five of the seven were offensive. Stewart can jump three times before defenders in the area complete their first jump, and he keeps the ball well off the edge. His setback sometimes gave Detroit’s offense a dynamic it lacked during the early part of the season.
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Bey also impressed. His first bucket was a three-pointer at the start of the first quarter. In a series by Carmelo Anthony, he leans into his defender and turns a few times before letting it fly. He also hit a funky jumper in the second quarter, being patient again and using his feet to get a good angle on the shot.
Killian Hayes scored the best game of his young career, finishing with 10 points, eight assists and twice. He hit two three-pointers – one setback, one spot-on – and read well with the ball in his hands. He also continued to play hard on defense against a tough game in Trae Young.
Jackson impresses
Jackson was a highlight for the Pistons early in the season. He excelled during the preseason and showed he can be a spark off the bench.
He started his first career and scored 27 points. He was aggressive throughout the night, pushing the ball and attacking the edge. On a night in which the Pistons lack two of their best scorers, he showed he can fill the void needed.
To enter an award as the main option
After leading the Pistons in the standings on Saturday, Grant was level again with Detroit’s leading scorer on Monday. He finishes with 27 points, six rebounds and a block. He does the things he proves to be good at – hitting tries and finishing on the edge. But he also showed that, if necessary, he could create for himself and others.
He hit a handy drive at the top of the key at the start of the third quarter, and drove and kicked to Svi Mykhailiuk for an open try later in the quarter. The 3 did not fall, but it is a good sign if he can consistently punish defenses for the collapse of his drives.
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