Takeaways: Pistons show defensive grit and improved spacing in season opener

DETROIT — From tip off until midway through the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s season opener, Pistons fans at Little Caesars Arena brought an energy not seen in years, even for a home opener.

Unfortunately, the result was a familiar one: a loss.

The Pistons fell to the Indiana Pacers, 115-109, in a game that stayed close until a late cold spell caused Detroit to lose control on both ends of the court.

In their first game under new coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the Pistons’ effort was evident, particularly on defense. Jalen Duren was solid in protecting the paint, an area he struggled with last season, while rookie Ron Holland showed scrappiness as a defender. The team’s intensity was something fans could find infectious if maintained consistently.

“The energy was awesome,” Bickerstaff said postgame. “The physicality, communication, and execution were at a really high level. This is something we’ll keep improving—learning how to put together a full game. But the will is there, so I’m pleased with what we did tonight.”

In the first half, the Pacers shot just under 43% from the field and 25% from three, with no players scoring in double figures. Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner combined for just 3-of-16 from the field and 0-of-8 from beyond the arc.

The Pistons, meanwhile, played gritty basketball, doubling the Pacers in second-chance points and playing at a faster pace. Bickerstaff praised the team’s selflessness, which was evident in their focus on finding the open man rather than relying on isolation plays.

“There were a ton of positives,” Bickerstaff said. “We did a lot of good stuff-- from sharing the basketball to defending them the way that we did. (The Pacers) are a unique team because of their ability to space the floor with (Myles Turner), and I thought our guys for the most part did a pretty good job of taking the game plan into assignment...I thought they competed their tails off. They never gave in. The fourth quarter provides us a great opportunity to learn.”

Here are some additional takeaways from Wednesday’s home opener:

New veterans provided much needed spacing

Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, and Tim Hardaway Jr. — along with the rest of the Pistons, aside from Cade Cunningham — offered little in the second half. The same can’t be said for the first. The trio combined for 31 of Detroit’s 58 first-half points, providing the kind of spacing the Pistons hadn’t seen since Cunningham’s arrival.

This spacing was evident in Cunningham’s six first-half assists, as he found open shooters who knocked down shots. To highlight their impact, Harris, Beasley and Hardaway accounted for seven of Detroit’s nine made three-pointers. Hardaway, who struggled in the preseason, was especially efficient, shooting 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.

As a team, Detroit struggled with shooting down the stretch. But if they can continue to get solid production from Harris, Beasley and Hardaway, along with the development of younger players under their guidance, the Pistons should avoid finishing in the bottom tier of shooting this season.

Ron Holland II is a competitor

Ron Holland II finished his NBA debut with six points and three rebounds. While the numbers don’t stand out, his gameplay certainly did. His on-ball defense was particularly good at times. One standout moment came at the 11:20 mark in the second quarter, when he locked up Indiana’s Benedict Mathurin, forcing a turnover.

From flying around on defense to making strong cuts, Holland showed why the Pistons selected him No. 5 overall. However, there were some mistakes to clean up, especially stepping onto the court when he shouldn’t.

One thing is certain: his defense, which he predicted would be the first part of his game to translate, was clearly on display and he was satisfied with his performance.

“I feel really good about it,” Holland said after the game. “The ref walked up on me and told me not to be so handsy. I’m really learning how to be a defensive menace and make a name for myself with that. I know as time goes on, I will learn more about that. Studying dudes like Jrue Holiday’s film really (helped me) learn a lot just to play defense.”