The serious Pistons face very weakened champions

After defeat against SpursTHE Clips had his second high-class climbing pass in a row, receiving Thunder. But the difficulty was less when one saw the list of absentees: Shai Giljus-Alexander, Jaylen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren etc Ajay Mitchell.

However, Oklahoma City’s recent wins in Cleveland and Toronto have proven that, even downsized, the reigning champions have the resources and qualities. So be careful…

“No matter who is on the floor, they are champions and that says it all”, analyze JB Bickerstaff. “We are not at that level, we don’t go through complicated scenarios like winning the title without understanding how to raise the level when we are on the floor. They have a dense, experienced group. Even when they were young they saw others. That’s why you have to be ready. We can’t rely on injuries: we are playing with the current champions and we have to have the right mindset.

A few moments less well

The Pistons started poorly, weighed down by their awkwardness, before taking control of the game. Earnest and hardworking, Cade Cunningham and his gang were very solid until the final quarter. Because, having created a gap, they let their guard down for a few minutes and let Grom come back. No consequencesluckily for them.

“There were really good times when we did what we had to do. Then other times when we let them get back into the game.”laments Detroit’s coach. “But the guys were able to find a solution. They did the right things.”

With this victory, necessarily fake given the number of absentees opposite, Michigan’s players quickly regained first place in the league, with a record of 43-14 (75.4%), ahead of the Thunder’s 45-14 (75%).

And it will be necessary to remember the good minutes as well as the less successful ones, in the first and last quarters.

“We have to be focused for 48 minutes”warns Jalen Duren, excellent, especially in the second quarter, who will finish with 29 points and 15 rebounds. “You have to follow instructions, pay attention to details and do your best. We have to play at our level throughout the match. It’s easy to correct, but we have to be involved in this.”