The Portland Trail Blazers found themselves on the wrong end of a physical game against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, losing 119-112 at Moda Center. The strength for the Blazers heading into this season was their depth at the center position. The irony of this game being played on Bill Walton Tribute night is that the team was shorthanded at that position, playing without Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III. This lack of size would ultimately be the downfall for the Blazers against the much-improved Pistons.
Despite only shooting 38% from the field and being heavily outrebounded, the Blazers kept the game close with a chance to steal one at the end. Portland was down nearly 20 points in the third quarter, but used timely defensive stops and threes to climb back in the game. Anfernee Simons continued his hot streak, scoring 34 points while drawing the tough defensive assignments. Jerami Grant poured in six threes to finish the night with 25 points, but it wasn’t enough to crack the defense of the Detroit Pistons.
Let’s dive into five points of extended analysis to better understand what happened tonight for the Trail Blazers
The MVP of the Game
If this NBA thing doesn’t work out for Simons, he has a career as a magician waiting for him. Simons is known for his three-point shooting, but tonight his touch around the rim stole the show. Simons would finish with 34 points on 14-26 shooting. On a night where the Blazers only had four players in double figures, those 34 points were gold.
The Pistons pressured Simons on most possessions and yet he was able to find space in the pick and roll game (more on this later). Not only did his scoring keep the Blazers in the game, but it started to open up the floor for the rest of the Blazers. Simons was able to find passing lanes, attacking the Pistons defense in order to kick out to open shooters. He would only collect two assists tonight, but the playmaking was on display.
Simons has had an interesting season to say the least, but tonight was a vintage performance from the Blazers’ best offensive player.
Setting the Screen
Okay, so how was Simons able to find so much clearance to operate against the Pistons defense tonight? Enter stage right, Donavan Clingan. Cling Kong understood the assignment, destroying the Pistons on his screens at the top of the three-point arc.
After you read this analysis, go back through the game and check out these plays. Clingan setting screens at the 7:49 mark of the second quarter, 9:35 mark of the third quarter, and 10:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. In all of the instances, Simons would end up drilling an open three. Clingan doesn’t just take up space, he creates area when he rolls to the rim. That opportunity allows his pick and roll mate better chances at scoring. Clingan came into the league ready to be a defensive force, so it’s good to see the different ways he is able to impact the game on the offensive end.
Where has Jerami Grant Been?
Speaking of an up-and-down season, Jerami Grant may be the poster child. Grant started the season as possibly the most likely Blazer to be traded. By the time we got to the trade deadline, Grant’s value was nowhere near the return needed for a player of his caliber. The Grant we saw tonight against the Pistons is the player the Blazers had hoped to see this year.
Grant started the game hitting his first three long-range shots. He finished 6-11 from the arc. He would score 25 points, doing most of his damage in the first half. Along with Simons, Grant’s scoring kept the Blazers in the game. The Pistons came out aggressive in the first quarter and if it wasn’t for Grant, the Blazers may have found themselves down 20 much sooner than they did.
Defensive First Team and More
Toumani Camara was simply incredible on the defensive end of the court. His defensive superpowers are no longer a secret since earning Defensive Player of the Month in February. Camara drew multiple charges against Pistons star Cade Cunningham and frustrated him throughout the entire game. His help-side blocks made a huge impact as well, especially on a night when the Blazers were shorthanded at the center position.
Camara’s defense was incredible, but it was the poster dunk on Isaiah Stewart at the 6:22 mark of the second quarter that will have everyone talking Monday morning. If you haven’t seen it yet, go look it up.
Rebounding
Depending on who you talk to, rebounding may be the most important aspect of winning basketball games. If that were the case, the Blazers would have had no chance of winning tonight since they were out rebounded 54-41. Once Clingan hit the bench, the Pistons were able to collect offensive rebound after offensive rebound. The Blazers were able to find ways to punish Detroit with a smaller lineup, but ultimately the lack of size and rebounding cost the Blazers the win.
Up Next
Boxscore
Portland will play the Golden State Warriors on the road tomorrow night at 7:00 PM, Pacific.