After the success in Denver to open their counter of away victories yesterday, the Pistons put the cover back in Utah tonight (125-116). Faced with one of the best records in the West, and the biggest surprise of this start to the season, Detroit joined forces behind Bojan Bogdanovic (23 points) but also a more unexpected duo: Marvin Bagley III (19 points, 6 rebounds) and Kevin Knox (21 points).
It all started for the better for the visitors with a 14-5 from the start and a perfectly controlled first half. This despite the entry hot shot of Malik Beasley, author of 11 points in the first quarter, then that of Jordan Clarkson, author of 10 points in the second quarter. The Pistons were up to 14 points ahead, stabilizing at the dozen at the break (66-54).
Relaunched through a Marvin Bagley received 5/5 in the third quarter, with 11 points over the period, the Pistons managed to keep their advantage before persisting and signing last, thanks to the former Jazz, Bojan Bogdanovic, the veteran who reassured his people in the “clutch” with 7 points but also an assist for Alec Burks (another former club member) at 3-point in the corner in a key moment.
Thanks to 12 points from Kevin Knox in the last quarter, Detroit eased into a thrilling end to the game as Lauri Markkanen regained his senses…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Detroit goes on the outside. After ten consecutive away losses since the start of the season, Detroit had managed to break the ice against the Nuggets. Here they are again to play spoilsport against a well-placed team from the West in Utah! Without Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey or even Isaiah Stewart, three of their usual holders, the Pistons show that they not only have resources but that they are also capable of blows this year.
— Utah stalls. Like Portland, which is now four losses in a row, even Spurs, which had also started well before collapsing (six defeats in a row), is this the moment when the beautiful history of Jazz begins to terminate ? This setback against the modest Pistons in any case signals an important setback for the Jazz, which was at 10-3 and now remains on five defeats in its last seven outings…
— Killian Hayes shot in the left calf. Again holder in the lead last night, the former Choletais did not play the second half of this match, giving way to veteran Cory Joseph. Before that, he had played 17 minutes of play for 2 points (1/5 on shots), 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Marvin Bagley III. Injured on a slip at the start of the season, he had to wait to return to the courts but the former Kings seems to be finding his rhythm. As evidenced by his performance last night at 19 points and 6 rebounds, his fourth straight game at 10 points and more. Encouraging for the Pistons and for the former prospect (out too early) of Duke.
✅ Kevin Knox. After 17 points and 8 rebounds yesterday in Denver, Kevin Knox once again sparked off the bench with 21 points, a new season record, including an excellent 6/8 from 3-pointers, a career record.
✅ Malik Beasley. He’s the walking firecracker of the Jazz, and the most prolific 3-point shooter on the NBA benches this season. Malik Beasley fired all the woods yesterday with a season-high 8 3-point shots for 29 points (tied a season high), plus 11 rebounds and 5 assists. A full game!
⛔ Lauri Markkanen. Once is not custom, Lauri Markkanen missed his match. For the second time in his season, the Finnish star of Jazz delivered a game with 13 points, his lowest total. Well held by the defense, to the point of being knocked out at halftime, he finished at 4/13 on shots, without having found his rhythm in this match.
THE FOLLOWING
Detroit (5-15) : continuation of the “road trip” to Phoenix on Friday
Utah (12-8) : trip to Golden State on Friday
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
