As a side note to the story, Tobias Harris was already a member of the team at the time. Around him, Andre Drummond, Ish Smith, Stanley Johnson, Luke Kennard… We are talking about the 2017/18 version of the Pistons who, after 37 games played, had a record of 20 victories and 17 defeats.
Never since has a Detroit team had a positive record at this stage of the season. Since last night, because by winning in Brooklyn yesterday, JB Bickerstaff's men have notched up a fifth victory in a row, but also changed their record to 19 wins for 18 defeats.
A win record above 50% is a first for them this season. And a first for most of the young protagonists. Cade Cunningham, for example, had never had a positive result… after four matches played in a season.
Cade Cunningham can savor
“ Last season, we were 2-1 to start the season, then the losing streak (editor’s note: 28) began. This is the only time I have exceeded 50%. It would mean a lot to change that. This is one of the next steps in developing a title contender. So I try to proceed step by step, not to skip steps. “, recently posted the leader at Andscape.
The latter, with 24 points, 9.5 assists and nearly 7 rebounds, displays his best career averages and has the typical CV of a player likely to be invited to the all-star game. This night against the Nets, while he remained in two games averaging 36 points, the leader did not need to force himself (13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists).
At the end of the 3rd quarter, Detroit already had a 21-point lead. Behind Malik Beasley's 23 points, Simone Fontecchio shone from the bench (17 points), as did Marcus Sasser (15 points).
“ This is what we try to do throughout the year. The goal has always been to diversify the attack, and it's the same on defense. This allows everyone to participate (at play) and succeed. It's nice for these guys. Everyone wants to play when they are involved on both ends of the pitch », Judges their coach.
Behind the Cavs, the fittest team
And it's obviously nicer when the results follow. With 8 wins in their last 10 outings (and even 10 in 13), the Pistons are the most fit team in the East behind the untouchable Cavs. All with their second top scorer (Jaden Ivey) on the sidelines since January 1st…
“ This band is at its best when playing with a joyful state of mind. When we're frustrated, down, and not encouraging each other, that's not when we're at our best. », locates JB Bickerstaff, citing this second half against the Nets as a good example of the joyful state of mind sought.
“ We will continue to do the same thing. This is the approach we will take. Every day it's the same thing. We didn't get to the end. We have a series of successes, which is great. Our players have improved, our team has improved. But we're not done yet. We will continue to work every day to improve ourselves », Promises the head coach to finish.
| Shots | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Bp | Int | Ct | Party | Pts |
| Cade Cunningham | 32 | 35.8 | 45.1 | 37.7 | 80.6 | 0.9 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 9.5 | 4.3 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 24.4 |
| Jaden Ivey | 30 | 29.9 | 46.0 | 40.9 | 73.3 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 17.6 |
| Malik Beasley | 36 | 28.2 | 41.8 | 39.6 | 70.2 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 16.0 |
| Tobias Harris | 34 | 32.0 | 44.6 | 35.2 | 86.1 | 1.1 | 5.5 | 6.6 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 13.4 |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | 33 | 27.9 | 42.3 | 36.3 | 82.8 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 10.5 |
| Jalen Duren | 33 | 24.9 | 68.8 | 0.0 | 60.5 | 3.3 | 6.1 | 9.4 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 9.6 |
| Ausar Thompson | 15 | 18.3 | 50.5 | 22.2 | 40.9 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 4.7 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 2.5 | 7.4 |
| Simone Fontecchio | 31 | 18.0 | 40.4 | 34.9 | 81.8 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 6.5 |
| Ron Holland | 36 | 15.5 | 48.7 | 21.9 | 81.0 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 6.4 |
| Isaiah Stewart II | 32 | 21.1 | 52.1 | 25.8 | 88.6 | 2.1 | 3.9 | 6.0 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 5.8 |
| Marcus Sasser | 25 | 13.5 | 47.8 | 33.9 | 100.0 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 5.5 |
| Alondes Williams | 1 | 3.7 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
| Paul Reed, Jr. | 20 | 11.2 | 56.1 | 33.3 | 82.6 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 4.9 |
| Wendell Moore, Jr. | 15 | 13.4 | 46.7 | 23.1 | 92.9 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 3.9 |
| Cole Swider | 2 | 6.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Danis Jenkins | 2 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
