Alec Burks should start and other Pistons takeaways from loss to Blazers
Early on, it appeared the Detroit Pistons might start 2023 on a high note after ending 2022 on one. Detroit’s leading scorer Bojan Bogdanovic had nine of his 21 points in the first, with reserve Alec Burks chipping in seven of his 19. The Pistons traded Grant last June to Portland for a 2025 first-round pick. Now in Portland playing alongside the dynamic Lillard, Grant is posting 22.4 points per game, shooting 49% from and 45% from behind the arc. Time to give Burks starter minutesSpeaking of tinkering with the starting lineup, Casey should consider naming Alec Burks as a starter if changes are looming.
mlive.comEx-Piston scores 36, leads Blazers to dominant win
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jerami Grant scored 36 points against his former team, Anfernee Simons added 30 and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Detroit Pistons 135-106 on Monday night. Gary Payton II played 14 minutes in his Portland debut, finishing with seven points, four assists and two steals. He signed with the Trail Blazers as a free agent after winning an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors last June. Grant was 12 for 17 from the field, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range, and Payton’s debut buoyed a Blazers team that had lost four of five. Bojan Bogdanovic had 21 points to lead Detroit, and Alec Burks scored 19 off the bench.
mlive.comPistons land Italian sharpshooter Gabriele Procida in second round
The Detroit Pistons landed sharpshooting 6-7 wing Gabriele Prodica from Italy in the second round of Thursday’s draft. 36 was made by the Portland Trail Blazers for the Pistons, as the teams swapped second-rounders (No. 46 goes to Portland) in Wednesday’s Jerami Grant trade. Procida, 20, last played for Fortitudo Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A. Moves well off the ball, comes off screens well and understands how to find space for his shot.
mlive.comPistons acquire center Jalen Duren, Kemba Walker in three-way trade
The Detroit Pistons didn’t keep the first-round pick they acquired Wednesday in the Jerami Grant trade for long. The Pistons used that pick during Thursday’s draft to acquire 6-11 center Jalen Duren, the 13th pick by the Charlotte Hornets, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. It was a three-team deal with the New York Knicks that also sends guard Kemba Walker to Detroit. The Pistons are Walker are expected to discuss a contract buyout that will allow him to become a free agent. Duren, 18, averaged 12 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 29 games for the University of Memphis as a freshman.
mlive.comNBA Draft 2022: Pistons trade Jerami Grant and our experts have a new prediction for the No. 5 pick
The Detroit Pistons were the first team to make a major move around the 2022 NBA Draft, and although it came a day early, they will have some serious draft decisions on Thursday night. Betting Market Best bet for 2022 NBA Draft Detroit Pistons First Pick Keegan Murray (+130)DraftKings Sportsbook will match new users first deposit for up to $1,000! Click here to register a new account and claim your bonus before Thursday’s NBA Draft! 2022 NBA Draft: Detroit Pistons first pick odds at DraftKings SportsbookDraftKings Sportsbook released odds earlier this week around Detroit’s first overall pick, and Keegan Murray was the odds-on-favorite at -175. 2022 NBA Draft Detroit Pistons first pick prediction: Keegan Murray (+130)Earlier this week, we outlined why the Pistons would select Shaedon Sharpe with the No.
mlive.comReport: Pistons trade Jerami Grant to Portland for 2025 first-round pick
The Detroit Pistons have moved their biggest trade chip on the eve of the NBA draft. The Pistons today traded forward Jerami Grant to the Portland Trail Blazers for a first-round pick in 2025, which belongs to the Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Detroit also swapped second-round picks this year with the Blazers, getting No. 46, per Wojnarowski, and Portland will send the most favorable 2026 second-rounder to the Pistons between Portland, New Orleans and Detroit.
mlive.comPistons’ Troy Weaver anticipates more trade proposals for Jerami Grant this week
As Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver finalizes preparations for Thursday’s draft, he also expects to be sifting through more trade proposals for Jerami Grant. Grant, 28, is entering the final year of the three-year, $60 million contract he signed with the Pistons in free agency prior to the 2020-21 season. “In the draft there’s usually a lot of trade talk,” Weaver said. Grant is eligible to sign a four-year extension worth as much as $112 million with the Pistons. If the Pistons trade him without taking back a lot of salary it would free up space to re-sign Marvin Bagley III and exercise options on Frank Jackson and Hamidou Diallo.
mlive.comPistons owner to fund $20 million community center in Detroit’s Rouge Park
Tom Gores, owner of the Detroit Pistons and CEO of Platinum Equity, announced his plans to build a $20 million community center in Rouge Park on the city’s west side. This announcement is the first in a series of initiatives Gores envisions for his foundation, the Tom Gores Family Foundation.
Cunningham gives Pistons a building block in rebuilding plan
Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham was one of the only players on the court more than an hour before a recent game, breaking a sweat as if he was trying to keep his job even though his future in Detroit is secure as the No. 1 pick from the 2021 draft.
Pistons shut down Jerami Grant for remainder of season
DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons will finish out the season without veteran power forward Jerami Grant. The team announced that Grant would miss the remaining seven games due to a calf strain on Monday evening. Grant has been having a solid season this year. He has averaged 19.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists while knocking down 42.6 percent of his shots from the floor. #Pistons forward Jerami Grant will miss the remainder of the 2021-22 season with a left calf strain.
mlive.comTrade or not, Pistons’ Jerami Grant says his civic commitment to Detroit and its people will remain
DETROIT -- When Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant arrived in Detroit, giving back to the city was at the forefront of his mind. But the Pistons did not find the right deal and Grant remained on the team. So a move to another city won’t stop Grant from serving the city of Detroit. “I don’t really think that’s the reason why I do it,” Grant said. And they do and he definitely does.”More:‘I’m a Piston’: Jerami Grant focused on future in Detroit after NBA trade deadline passesJerami Grant gives 40-point night as Pistons let go of rope to Cavaliers
mlive.comJerami Grant gives 40-point night as Pistons let go of rope to Cavaliers
One night after Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey put up a 51-point night, another player from the Motor City looked to grab a 50-piece. With just over five minutes left in the fourth, Jerami Grant hit a pair of free throws 35 seconds after making a layup that brought the Pistons within 99-93 of the Cavaliers with a little over five minutes left in action. Grant had kept the Pistons alive early in the night and had looked to do so again. He ended the night with 40 points, three points shy of his career-best 43. But they have lost four of their last five matchups and the Cavaliers looked to hand them a fifth loss since Mar.
mlive.comNagging injuries could leave Pistons with short rotation against Magic
The injury woes of the Detroit Pistons don’t seem to be easing up as they get ready to face the Orlando Magic on Thursday. The Pistons will be down at least five players but could see some reinforcements. Detroit could get Cade Cunningham (non-COVID illness) back after the rookie missed the team’s matchup against the Miami Heat on Tuesday. Detroit and Orlando both have 18 wins this season and rank among the three worst teams in the league. The Pistons are just half a game ahead of the Magic at 28th overall, while the Houston Rockets rank 30th with just 17 wins.
mlive.comPistons fight to the finish but fall short to East’s top-ranked Heat
The Detroit Pistons looked to snap a three-game losing streak when they traveled to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat. On Tuesday night, the Pistons kept the Heat within two points with just over two minutes remaining in the game. The Pistons also did not have Hamidou Diallo or Frank Jackson, who also provide the Pistons with some offensive jolts. Strus helped the Heat, which is the top team in the Eastern Conference, quickly regain control of the game after the Pistons went on a 19-0 run. Grant scored 22 points, had four rebounds and two blocks, while Bagley and Saddiq Bey chipped in 13 points each.
mlive.comPistons bench searching for rhythm despite the bite of the injury bug
DETROIT -- At the beginning of the season, the second unit of the Detroit Pistons was supposed to be one of the team’s strengths. But a myriad of injuries left the team’s bench with a revolving door of faces that have struggled to find consistency. One month later, Jerami Grant injured his thumb and the Pistons elevated Hamidou Diallo, an energizing force off the bench, to the starting lineup. But on Wednesday, the Pistons’ bench flashed signs of the strength the Pistons needed from it. Lee, Olynyk and Hamidou Diallo ended the night in double figures, while Rodney McGruder chipped in nine points.
mlive.comPistons finding cohesion with roster nearly healthy
While this season centered around the development of the Detroit Pistons’ young talent, the team didn’t anticipate the extended absences of some of its coveted veterans. As the season winds down, though, the Pistons are nearly fully intact. With the majority of the roster healthy, they’re finding a rhythm that has made them far more competitive in games. The Pistons opened their season without their top prospect, Cunningham, who missed the first five games with an ankle sprain. Only Diallo and Saddiq Bey have not missed games this season due to an injury or COVID-19.
mlive.comFourth quarter trips up Pistons, fall to Wizards
In the Wizards’ second attempt to run away with the game, Kyle Kuzma capitalized on several trips to the line. Wizards guard Ish Smith hit a jumper to kick off the scoring in the final quarter before Thomas Bryant made a layup and drew a foul. The 27-year-old helped to kickstart the Pistons’ scoring in the second quarter after going scoreless in the opening frame. The Pistons had a solid offensive start and never allowed the Wizards to score more than seven points in the first half. A pair of threes from Hachimura quickly erased the Pistons’ lead and a dunk from Bryant gave the Wizards the final go-ahead of the game.
mlive.comKelly Olynyk seals Pistons OT win, snap 15-game losing streak to Hornets
Kelly Olynyk did much of the heavy lifting from long range and would later sink the game-winning shot. He hit a couple of three-pointers that forced the Hornets to take a timeout with 7:10 left in the game. The former Gonzaga Bulldog set the Pistons up for solid positioning to snap a 15-game losing streak to the Hornets. The rookie split the free throws, giving the Hornets one last chance to put the game away with 9.4 seconds in the game. He scored the Pistons’ first five points with a turnaround fadeaway jumper then a shot from long range.
mlive.comCleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons - NBA (2/24/22) | Tip-Off, How to Watch
🤯(📽️: @NBA)pic.twitter.com/pmb4XuNegw — theScore (@theScore) February 17, 2022The win sent the Pistons into the break with a record of 13-45. Watch the Detroit Pistons on DirecTV StreamWhile he has only played in 33 games this season, due to injury, Grant leads the team, offensively, averaging 19 points-per-game. Led by Darius Garland, who is scoring just over 20 points a game this season, the Cavaliers have hopes of being a dangerous team come playoff time. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Cleveland Cavaliers (35-23) vs. Detroit Pistons (13-45)When: Thursday, February 24Time: 7:00 p.m. ETWhere: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, Mich.)Channel: Bally Sports DetroitStream: DirecTV StreamCheck out the NBA standings and results on NBA.com
mlive.com‘I’m a Piston’: Jerami Grant focused on future in Detroit after NBA trade deadline passes
DETROIT – Even before the NBA trade deadline came and went Thursday afternoon, Jerami Grant knew he was staying in Detroit. With his future in Detroit cemented for at least the remainder of the season, Grant proceeded to lead the Pistons with a team-high 20 points, four rebounds and four assists, and was one point away from reaching 6,000 for his career. “I’m a Piston,” Grant said following the Pistons’ 132-107 loss. His points per game (19.1) are down three points and his shooting percentages are also all down from last year amid the Pistons’ rebuilding season. “I thought he moved the ball, he took what the defense gave him, and he competed on the defensive end, so I was really really happy for Jerami,” Casey said.
mlive.comPistons, Bey, Grant finding synergy; Jackson remains instant spark plug & other takeaways
While consistency has been a key focus this year, the Pistons continue to flash positives throughout their matchups that show continued growth. But Thursday’s loss showed where the Pistons can continue to improve as well as the strengths they can continue to lean on. Saddiq Bey and Jerami Grant finding synergy: Over the last couple of months, second-year forward Saddiq Bey has shown steady growth in his game after breaking out of a shooting slump. With Grant returning this month, Bey returned to his usual position at small forward and the two have looked to adjust. Bey scored 21 points, while Grant chipped in 20 as the two helped the Pistons stay afloat midway through the third quarter.
mlive.comMinnesota Timberwolves vs. Detroit Pistons - NBA (2/3/22) | Tip-Off, How to Watch
The Detroit Pistons are coming off a disappointing loss at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans, and now look to bounce back in a Thursday night clash with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night. The Pistons were looking good against the Pelicans on Tuesday night, coming out of the gate strong, leading by eight at halftime. Watch the Detroit Pistons on DirecTV StreamIn his first game back from injury, Jerami Grant put up 17 points for the Pistons, with another 18 coming from Cory Joseph. Coming into Thursday night, Minnesota sits seventh in the Western Conference with a 26-25 record. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Minnesota Timberwolves (26-25) vs. Detroit Pistons (12-38)When: Thursday, February 3Time: 7:00 p.m.
mlive.comPistons expect positional shifts with Grant, Olynyk back in the rotation
DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons will once again get some reinforcements soon and the team’s rotation will return to what it was at the beginning of the season. Both Kelly Olynyk and Jerami Grant will likely return to action soon. In Grant and Olynyk’s absence, the Pistons have leaned on several other players who seized the available playing. The Pistons shifted Saddiq Bey to power forward and bumped Hamidou Diallo into the starting lineup at the three. In the month leading up to his injury, Grant had begun to break out of his shooting slump and was making 35 percent of his shots from distance.
mlive.comPistons assign Grant, Garza, Stanley to Motor City Cruise
Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant could be one step closer to making his return from injury. The Pistons assigned the 27-year-old, along with Luka Garza and Cassius Stanley to their G League affiliate on Monday. The team has utilized the Cruise this season to ramp up players ahead of their return to play. The Pistons assigned rookie Cade Cunningham to the Cruise earlier this season following his recovery from an ankle injury and ahead of his debut. NBA teams can assign players to the G League throughout the season.
mlive.comHerro, Strus power Heat to 115-112 comeback win over Pistons
MIAMI (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 29 points, Max Strus added 26 and the Miami Heat rallied to beat the short-handed Detroit Pistons 115-112 on Thursday night. Cory Joseph’s game-tying 3-point attempt with two seconds left bounced off the rim and was rebounded by Miami reserve forward Udonis Haslem. The Heat scored seven unanswered points and went ahead 112-110 on a 3-pointer by Herro with 1:12 remaining. The 41-year-old Haslem scored seven points and had five rebounds in 12 minutes. Heat: Since joining the starting rotation, Vincent has scored in double figures in five of seven games.
mlive.comPistons Jerami Grant sidelined at least 6 weeks with thumb injury
Veteran forward Jerami Grant will be out indefinitely after suffering torn ligaments in his right thumb, per reports. Following Saturday’s practice, Pistons head coach Dwane Casey said that Grant’s thumb was a little tender but the X-rays on it came back negative. The Pistons announced Grant’s injury on Sunday morning as a UCL ligament sprain of the right thumb. With Grant now set to miss several games, the Pistons will have to make another adjustment to the team’s rotation. Through 25 games, Lyles has played 56 percent of his minutes at the five.
mlive.comFlint native Kyle Kuzma, Wizards deliver 119-116 overtime loss to Pistons
DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons got out to a solid lead to start Wednesday night’s contest against the Washington Wizards. Pistons rookie guard Cade Cunningham scored six-straight points in overtime, the Wizards made the final shot to win 119-116. Flint native, Kyle Kuzma delivered the final blow, a three-pointer from the corner leaving just .6 seconds on the clock. Then Stewart and Jerami Grant each split a pair of free throws before Grant hit a layup to cut the Wizards’ lead to five. Second-year center Isaiah Stewart scored 11 points and had 10 rebounds on the night.
mlive.comPistons’ rally falls short as Lakers hang on to win 110-106
The Detroit Pistons started the night keeping pace with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers shot 66.7 percent from the field, making four of their nine shot attempts from three in the third. Grant got the Pistons off to their strong start and ended the night making 11 of his 20 shot attempts in the field. He was hot from long range too, as he sank four of his six shot attempts from distance. Four players made three or more of their shots from a distance as the Pistons ended the night with one of their better nights from long range.
mlive.comPistons kick-off West Coast trip with 107-96 loss outmatched by Clippers in
They fell to the Los Angeles Clippers 107-96 on Friday afternoon. Jerami Grant scored 20 points as he and his teammates tried to desperately cut into the Clippers’ lead. Stewart, along with Grant, gave the Pistons a big boost on the glass as the two combined for 22 of the Pistons’ 52 rebounds. Stewart also blocked one shot and had a much-needed steal to help kick off the Pistons’ run toward the end of the third. Reggie Jackson scored 21 points, had four rebounds and four assists, while Terrance Mann scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
mlive.comCouple invited to Thanksgiving dinner by more than 200 strangers
Susana Orrego moved to the U.S. from Colombia in August, so this Thanksgiving was her first. She wanted to do something to celebrate, and she and her husband ended up getting 200 invites to Thanksgiving dinners. On Thursday, they met a new friend, Carol Lesser – the woman who welcomed the couple into her home.
news.yahoo.comPistons tripped up in the fourth quarter, fall to Heat 100-92
DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons led for three quarters before the Miami Heat called on a hero, well Tyler Herro. The third-year sharpshooter scored 11 points to open the fourth quarter to send the Heat on a 10-minute 29-8 run to cut a nine-point Pistons lead. Herro scored 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter accounted for more than 65 percent of Miami’s points in the fourth quarter. The Pistons struggled to get the ball moving in the final quarter of the night, just like a game before. On top of that, it turned over the ball six times in the fourth quarter resulting in it getting outscored by Miami 33-16.
mlive.comGolden State Warriors vs. Detorit Pistons - NBA (11/19/21) | How to Watch, Start Time
However, it will not be easy, as they welcome Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors to town on Friday night. That was when the Pistons rallied back to win their fourth game of the season by a final score of 97-89. Now, Detroit gets to meet the hottest team in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors. The all-time leader in three-pointers in NBA history, Steph Curry, leads Golden State’s attack, averaging 28.7 points-per-game. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Golden State Warriors (12-2) vs. Detroit Pistons (4-10)When: Friday, November 19Time: 7:00 p.m.
mlive.comPistons prepare local Detroit families for Thanksgiving
DETROIT -- Thanksgiving may still be one week away but for hundreds of families from the metro-Detroit area, the holiday began a little earlier. On Thursday the Detroit Pistons hosted a drive-thru Thanksgiving event outside their practice facility in New Center in Detroit. Eight hundred families slowly rolled their vehicles across Amsterdam Street with trunks opened and ready to pick up Thanksgiving staples. The Pistons pre-selected the families from several partners, including Detroit PAL, Starfish Family Services, Detroit Housing Commission, Alternatives for Girls, Wish Upon a Teen, Boys and Girls Club, SAY Detroit, Mosaic Youth Theater and more. So, the 27-year-old wanted to make sure families in Detroit were taken care of as well.
mlive.comDetroit Pistons bounce back in conclusion of road trip with a 127-121 win over Toronto Raptors
After a blowout loss the night before, the Detroit Pistons turned up the intensity on the second night of a back-to-back. The Pistons (3-9) scored 78 points the night before, but the misfortunes of the night before didn’t seem to phase them. He hit three straight shots to get the Pistons a short lead before the Raptors go their rhythm going. He then scored three more layups back-to-back as the Pistons cut into the Raptors lead and pulled them within one point. Bey helped to get the Pistons scoring off in the first quarter before Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. got hot.
mlive.comPistons’ turnovers lead to 98-78 loss to Cavaliers
With turnovers plaguing them early in the game, the Pistons just couldn’t keep pace with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers (8-5) scored 27 of their points off the Pistons’ (2-9) turnovers as they set the tone early in the night’s match. The Pistons even tied the game then took the lead with a little over two minutes in the first quarter. The Cavaliers extended their lead to 12 after the Pistons turned over the ball 11 times within the first 15 minutes. The Pistons ended the night with a season-high 23 turnovers with Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio forcing five of them.
mlive.comJerami Grant’s hot third quarter lifts Detroit Pistons 112-104 win over Houston Rockets
Cunningham, along with a hot third quarter from Jerami Grant, gave the Pistons (2-8) a spark in the second half to beat the Hoston Rockets 112-104. The Rockets (1-10) threatened the Pistons’ 14-point lead in the fourth quarter to get within one point with just over two minutes remaining in the game. With 4:37 seconds left in the game, Cunningham knocked down a three from the sideline to put Detroit up 103-96. He also helped get teammates into the right spots to knock down shots to put up 30 points in the fourth quarter. On top of his hot offensive night, Grant had five rebounds, three assists as well as two blocked shots.
mlive.comPistons figuring out frigid second halves, other takeaways from loss to Sixers
Then the Pistons made just 25.6 percent of their shots in the second half as the Philadelphia 76ers’ defense adjusted to hand them a 109-98 on Thursday night. To this point, the Pistons averaged 7.3 turnovers in the second half, which isn’t the worst in the league. For Casey, having a young team that is still in development is part of Detroit’s struggles in the second half of games. The 76ers seemingly adapted to Grant’s game in the second half. When Grant goes cold in the second half of games, it’s quite noticeable since Detroit’s offense has lagged in the early part of the season.
mlive.comDetroit Pistons shooting goes cold in the second half in 109-98 loss to Philadelphia 76ers
DETROIT -- After a strong start on Thursday, the Detroit Pistons’ habit of collapsing after the half continued to bite them. Detroit made 25 of their 48 overall shots in the field and looked in a comfortable groove with their five starters. Grant scored 22 points in the first half on 9-of-12 shooting from the field and made two of his three shot attempts from distance. After scoring 66 points in the first half, the Pistons’ downpour of shots eventually dried up. Maxey scored 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field, while Curry added in another 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting.
mlive.comJerami Grant heats up, Pistons remain cold in loss to Bucks
DETROIT -- On a night when shooting troubles continued to plague them, Jerami Grant reminded the Detroit Pistons that they could count on him. In the Pistons’ 117-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Grant looked to keep his team in the game. Much like last year, Grant has been one of the Pistons’ most consistent players. He’s averaging 16.8 points, five rebounds and two assists through the first seven games.
mlive.comPistons struggle to contain Giannis Antetounkoumpo, Bucks in 117-89 loss
On Tuesday night, those woes were exacerbated as the Milwaukee Bucks torched the Pistons 117-89 despite the absence of several of their key starters. Despite that the Pistons kept shooting, with Jerami Grant going 4-of-8 from three to try to keep his team within reach of the Bucks (4-4). He hit a three early in the game to put the Pistons ahead by one after the Bucks scored on their second possession of the game. But the Bucks clamped down on defense and virtually iced the Pistons offense before heating up in the second quarter. Grant scored 21 points, the third time this season he has ended a night with 20 or more points.
mlive.comDetroit Pistons vs. Brooklyn Nets - NBA (10/31/21) | How to Watch, Start Time
After a lengthy rehab, the Detroit Pistons finally got to see their no. Now, they look to pick up their second win in-a-row in the second half of a back-to-back when they meet the Brooklyn Nets. However, they have won two of their last three, including a 105-98 win over the Indiana Pacers this past Friday. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Detroit Pistons (1-4) vs. Brooklyn Nets (3-3)When: Sunday, October 31Time: 7:30 p.m. ETWhere: Barclays Center (Brooklyn, N.Y.)Channel: Bally Sports DetroitStream: DirecTV StreamCheck out the NBA standings and results on NBA.com
mlive.comDetroit Pistons overpowered by Atlanta Hawks in 122-104 loss
The Detroit Pistons held on as long as they could, but the Atlanta Hawks turned it on to power to a win 122-104. The Pistons (0-3) held the Hawks (2-1) to 27.3 percent shooting from three in the first half. Olynyk scored 21 points, had six rebounds, four assists, as well as two steals in 30 minutes of play. In the first half, Olynyk had some help from Killian Hayes, who found his offensive rhythm in the second quarter. He went 8-of-16 overall, ending the night with 21 points, the second night in a row that he has scored 20 or more points.
mlive.comDetroit Pistons fade as Zach LaVine, Bulls soar in opener
DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons kicked off their 2021-22 season with a pretty strong and energetic start. But the offensive power of Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls (1-0) spoiled what started as a solid opening night. LaVine carved the Pistons (0-1) up for 15 points in the third quarter Wednesday to hand Detroit a 94-90 loss at Little Caesars Arena.. LaVine ended the night with 34 points to follow up a strong preseason. He had a “quiet” third quarter as the Pistons turned their focus to slowing down LaVine and the Bulls. Chicago averaged 118 points in the preseason and Detroit kept the Bulls under 100.
mlive.com5 things to watch during Detroit Pistons’ season opener vs. Chicago Bulls
DETROIT -- Fans are back in the stands as the Detroit Pistons open the regular season at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday night. To kick off the 2021-22 season, the Pistons host the Chicago Bulls (7 p.m., Bally Sports Detroit) as they double down on the their restoration efforts. Related: Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons - NBA (10/20/21) | How to Watch, Start Time1. But, the Pistons, Hayes and fans would like to see that the 20-year-old is starting to take some steps forward in his development. Then, an ankle injury sidelined him from the first preseason game and concussion kept him from the final two.
mlive.comPistons overpowered by Julius Randle, Knicks strong third quarter
The Detroit Pistons got out to a solid start but struggled to withstand the New York Knicks’ defense midway through the third quarter. The Knicks (3-0) took advantage of the Pistons’ changing of the units halfway through the third quarter to cut an eight-point lead to eventually beat Detroit 108-100. Julius Randle capitalized with the Pistons reserves on the court, scoring 16 points in the third quarter. Jerami Grant and the Pistons had largely held Randle at bay, limiting the 2020-21 Most Improved Player to just six points at the half. He accounted for more than half of the Knicks’ points in the third, as they finished the frame on an 18-5 run.
mlive.comPistons second unit executes as expected, plus Grant, Bey lead preseason win over Spurs
Lyles buried another triple, which seemed to give the Pistons’ shooting from distance a boost after they went cold in the second quarter. The Pistons ended the night shooting 35.3 percent from three, which helped make up for the slow rebounding early in the game. “He’s going to be able to have to put it on the floor. If they switch in a pick-and-roll situation like they did tonight, he’s going to have a matchup in the post, which he took advantage of a couple of times, which was really good. “He’s going to be able to make the 3s when he has them in rhythm, but nine times out of 10, with scouting reports, he’s going to have to play against guys running him off the line.”
mlive.comPistons Jerami Grant embraces leadership role after learning to be ‘the guy’ last year
DETROIT -- When Jerami Grant signed with the Detroit Pistons last season, the faces of the team’s on-court leadership looked a little different. “I think it’s going to be more of a leader role,” Grant said at last Monday’s Media Day. The presence of Griffin and Rose helped the 27-year-old work toward being “the guy” the Pistons could look to in crunch time. In the first 31 games of last season, Grant averaged 23.3 points per game, while making 43.6 of his shots in the field. Fresh off a career season, Grant played with Team USA and helped them win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
mlive.comPistons have third-worst playoff odds, according to BetOnline
On Monday, BetOnline released the playoff odds for the upcoming season and the Pistons have one of the worst shots at making it to the postseason. Detroit is currently +2500 or 25/1 when it comes to its chance of reaching the playoffs, which are the third-worst odds according to the site. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic are the only teams that have worse odds than the Pistons. This season will be an interesting gauge of where the Pistons are in their restoration. The Brooklyn Nets and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks have the best odds to make it to the playoffs.
mlive.com