DETROIT — Regardless of a sluggish begin, the Detroit Pistons opened their 2024 preseason with a 120-87 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday at Little Caesars Area. Though solely a preseason sport, this victory marked the primary beneath new head coach JB Bickerstaff.
Jaden Ivey began the sport with a three-pointer for Detroit, however the Pistons shortly cooled down, permitting Milwaukee to take a 20-3 lead within the first 4 minutes. Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez fueled the Bucks’ early dominance, combining for six three-pointers within the first half, with Lillard scoring 4.
Each gamers sat after the primary half, with Lillard totaling 15 factors and 4 rebounds and Lopez contributing eight factors and 4 assists. Bucks large man Bobby Portis additionally chipped in with 16 factors.
Detroit performed with out forwards Tobias Harris (relaxation) and rookie Bobi Klintman, who had been sidelined for precautionary causes. Throughout an open apply on the Wayne State Fieldhouse on Saturday, a crew spokesperson revealed that Klintman suffered a calf contusion and can be re-evaluated in a couple of days. The Bucks had been with out two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Pistons’ beginning unit of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Simone Fontecchio, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Ivey struggled to seek out its rhythm early on. Nevertheless, the momentum shifted when Malik Beasley, Isaiah Stewart and rookie Ron Holland entered the sport.
Beasley, one in every of Detroit’s offseason acquisitions, made a direct influence by hitting three three-pointers within the first quarter. He additionally mentored Cunningham all through the sport, providing him recommendation on the sphere. Beasley completed with 11 factors, three rebounds and two assists.
Ivey was the recent hand within the first half, hitting 5 of his first six pictures, together with 3-for-3 from past the arc, en path to 17 factors. He continued to attain within the second half, ending with a team-high 22 factors.
Regardless of falling behind by 14 factors early within the second quarter, the Pistons rallied because of sturdy protection and well timed targets from Ivey and third-year large man Jalen Duren. Detroit took its first lead at 53-52 after a second-chance basket from Duren.
Pistons rookie Ron Holland additionally impressed, contributing on each ends of the court docket. In a single outstanding sequence, he locked up Bucks guard Delon Wright, stole the ball and completed with a transition layup. Holland completed the night time with 10 factors, six rebounds and 5 assists.
With the sport in hand, Detroit expanded its rotation and Wendell Moore Jr. and Marcus Sasser helped bolster the lead. Moore contributed 14 factors and eight rebounds, whereas Sasser added 12 factors and 9 assists.
A veteran guard struggling in his debut
Whereas many Pistons have discovered success, Tim Hardaway Jr. struggled in his early days. In quarter-hour of first-half play, he scored simply 4 factors on 1-for-7 taking pictures, lacking all 4 of his three-point makes an attempt. Though the Bucks performed strong protection, most of Hardaway’s misses got here within the open.
“Calm” night time for Cunningham
Cade Cunningham performed 25 minutes, however his influence was modest. He shot 5 of 13 from the sphere, ending with 13 factors, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Regardless of his taking pictures struggles, Cunningham made key baskets and successfully facilitated the offense to maintain Detroit within the sport throughout the first half.
