Detroit, MI- The Detroit Pistons are one of only five teams in the NBA that have allowed 100 points only once or fewer, the result still ended in a loss. The Pistons fall to 2-4 on the season, losing to the Utah Jazz 97-96 at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Brandon Jennings led all scorers with 23 points and Greg Monroe posted a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds or the Pistons. Center Andre Drummond also posted a double-double with 11 points and 18 rebounds, but sat out the fourth quarter because of his foul-line shooting. Gordon Hayward of the Jazz led them with 17 points including the go-ahead three-pointer with a minute left in the game. Derrick Favors notched a double-double for Utah as well with 16 points and 12 rebounds and took advantage of a Detroit team that appeared to be lackadaisical on defense. Utah was able to shoot 45 percent from the floor and the Pistons once again struggled shooting the basketball shooting it at 39 percent Sunday evening.
The Pistons who were wearing their Sunday “Motor City” sleeved jerseys for the first time, won the rebounding battle with a 51-43 advantage. Utah however, was a plus 10 in the free-throw department, getting to the line 35 times while the Pistons only got there 25 times. Forward Josh Smith who has struggled shooting the ball as of late finished with 13 points on 6-14 shooting to go along with nine rebounds. Smith who is in the second year of a 4-year $56 million deal he signed last year has not been living up to it. Smith is averaging just under 15 points per game and his shot selection is questionable at times. Jazz guard Trey Burke received a warm ovation from the crowd during player introductions. Burke starred for the University of Michigan’s basketball team and led them to the NCAA National Title Game back in 2013. All five starters from that game (Burke, Hardaway Jr., Nik Stauskas, Mitch McGary, and Jordan Morgan) are now on NBA rosters.
Since winning the NBA title back in 2004, the Pistons have lost 17 of their last 20 games against the Jazz and went nearly eight years without winning a game in Utah. After playing four straight on at home, the Pistons go on the road playing four games in six nights. It starts in Chicago and ends in Memphis and they have already lost both their road games already this season to Denver and Minnesota. Guard Jodie Meeks should make his season debut in about four weeks.
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