The Detroit Pistons started their preseason with a bang on Sunday night. They defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 120-87 at home, overcoming an 18-point deficit. Jaden Ivey shone brightly, scoring 22 points with six of eight shots made, including three from beyond the arc. Other notable contributions came from Cade Cunningham (13 points), Malik Beasley (11 points), and Ron Holland (10 points, six rebounds, five assists).
Early Struggles Turned into a Dominant Performance
The game began poorly for the Pistons. The Bucks surged ahead with a 20-3 run, sinking five of their first six three-point attempts. The Bucks built an 18-point lead, but the Pistons fought back. They closed the gap to 11 points before outscoring Milwaukee 32-19 in the second quarter, taking a two-point lead at halftime. The Pistons maintained their momentum, outscoring the Bucks by 10 in the third quarter and dominating 29-8 in the fourth.
Overall, the Pistons outscored the Bucks 117-67 after initially falling behind by 17 points. The Bucks played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who rested. Damian Lillard scored 15 points in 17 minutes, while Bobby Portis led Milwaukee with 16 points off the bench.
Strong Defensive Efforts from the Pistons
The Pistons displayed excellent defense throughout the game. They held the Bucks to just 34.5% shooting and forced 24 turnovers. Tobias Harris (illness) and Bobi Klintman (calf contusion) did not play for Detroit. Ausar Thompson also missed the game due to ongoing health evaluations.
Coaching Strategy: Experimenting with Lineups
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasized the importance of using the preseason to test different lineup combinations. While the starting five was largely predictable, Tim Hardaway Jr. was the only surprise. Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Simone Fontecchio, and Jalen Duren also started. Had Harris been healthy, he likely would have joined them.
Bickerstaff used an eight-man rotation in the first half, including Beasley, Holland, and Isaiah Stewart. In the second half, he deepened the rotation, allowing Marcus Sasser, Paul Reed, and Wendell Moore Jr. to make their preseason debuts.
Jaden Ivey’s Impressive Performance
Jaden Ivey made a notable impact during the game. After grabbing an offensive rebound, he confidently shot a corner three-pointer. Shortly after, he scored on a tip-in. He missed only one shot in the first half, finishing with 17 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Ivey also went to the free-throw line three times early in the game, showcasing his aggression and confidence. With just 8.8 seconds left in the second quarter, he raced down the court and scored at the rim.
Despite a rough start, Ivey helped keep the Pistons in contention before they took their first lead right before halftime.
Ron Holland Shines on Defense
Ron Holland also impressed in his debut. The fifth overall pick contributed four points, five rebounds, and four assists in about 16 minutes. He played a crucial role in the Pistons’ defensive effort during the second quarter, forcing eight turnovers from the Bucks. Holland made a significant play by stealing the ball from Bucks point guard Delon Wright and scoring on the fast break. His energetic performance helped spark a Pistons run and earned him a spot in the starting lineup for the second half.
The Detroit Pistons showed promise in their preseason opener, highlighting both individual talents and strong team defense. Fans can look forward to more exciting performances as the preseason continues.
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