Suns
Pistons erase 19-point hole, win it at the line and on takeaways in preseason opener
The Detroit Pistons beat the Phoenix Suns 109-107 in a preseason game at Little Caesars Arena, rallying from a 19-point deficit with a 34-16 third quarter before holding on in the fourth. Both teams are 0-0, so nothing changes in the standings, but Detroit's defense and its work at the free-throw line were the difference.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 16 d ago01The story of the nightSuns build 19, Pistons answer in the thirdPhoenix came out hot, leading 35-21 after one and pushing the margin to a game-high 19 points by building a 68-50…
Phoenix came out hot, leading 35-21 after one and pushing the margin to a game-high 19 points by building a 68-50 edge through two quarters. Detroit flipped it in the third, outscoring the Suns 34-16 to tie the game at 84-84 heading into the fourth. From there it was even, 25-23 Pistons in the final period, enough to close it out 109-109... final, 109-107. The lead changed hands just once all night for each team, which tells the story: one team built a big early lead, the other erased it in one quarter and survived the finish.
02Holland II sparks the bench, Booker leads PhoenixRonald Holland II came off the Detroit bench to score a game-high 14 points to go with 5 steals and 2 blocks.
Ronald Holland II came off the Detroit bench to score a game-high 14 points to go with 5 steals and 2 blocks. Paul Reed added 10 points and 7 rebounds on a perfect 6-for-6 from the line, while John Collins (10 on 5-for-7 shooting), Ausar Thompson (10) and Cade Cunningham (10) rounded out Detroit's balanced night. Duncan Robinson hit 3 of 3 from three for 9 points. For Phoenix, Devin Booker led with 13 points on 4-for-7 shooting, Dillon Brooks scored 11 on 4-for-7 with 2 threes, and Jalen Green added 11.
03Decided at the line and on takeawaysThe shooting numbers were close — Phoenix actually shot better overall (48.7% to 44.3%) and outscored Detroit in the…
The shooting numbers were close — Phoenix actually shot better overall (48.7% to 44.3%) and outscored Detroit in the paint, 40-38, with nearly identical bench production (61 to 60) and three-point shooting (14-for-35 to 13-for-36). The separation came elsewhere: Detroit made 26 of 41 free throws to Phoenix's 17-for-33, and the Pistons turned Phoenix's 29 turnovers into 37 points, while the Suns managed only 23 points off Detroit's 20 turnovers. Detroit also piled up 21 steals and 8 blocks against Phoenix's 12 steals and 2 blocks, winning the hustle numbers by a wide margin.
04A preseason tune-up, nothing moreBoth teams entered at 0-0 and head into the regular season the same way — this result carries no standings weight.
Both teams entered at 0-0 and head into the regular season the same way — this result carries no standings weight. For Detroit, the third-quarter turnaround and the bench scoring from Holland II are the kind of thing a coaching staff notes heading into the opener. For Phoenix, the concern is the 29 turnovers and a defense that allowed 37 points off those giveaways; building a 19-point lead and still losing is the detail that will get the most attention on the Suns' side before the games start counting.
A-
C+
B
B-
D+