The Pistons roared out early in their first game of the Summer League behind a Peyton Siva-Brian Cook pick-and-pop combination. It was a video game error that the two kept exploiting for most of the first quarter for the team's first puppy points.
In case you missed it, teams earn points for winning quarters that determine the seeding for the Summer League tournament. If a team wins the quarter they get one point and it they tie for the quarter each team earns a half point. Detroit took home 6.5 points in the win.
Houston battled back in the second half, tying the game down the stretch. But Peyton Siva knocked down a pair of free throws then a difficult shot in the lane while falling down to close things out for the Pistons. After a Nick Johnson three pointer and David Lighty free throw, Siva also deflected a Chris Kramer drive to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to seal the deal.
Caldwell-Pope filled the stat sheet with 26 points on 19 shots, 4 rebounds, 6 steals, and a block. He showed a nice combination of getting to the rim, drawing fouls, and knocking down shots - all combined with his typical tenacious defense.
Siva also shined in the game, putting up 16 points on only 8 shots and 6 assists alongside 2 turnovers. As DBB commenter Shags said, he looked like 10-year veteran playing against rookies. He ran the pick-and-roll game very nicely and was able to generate a ton of penetration, mixing up the pass and shot nicely.
Both Pistons sophomores matched up against Nick Johnson, who was also tough on both ends of the floor. He put up 18 points, and also went and killed Tim Ohlbrecht.
DeAndre Liggins showed why he was the D-League Defensive Player of the Year with 7 rebounds and 5 steals, displaying some impressive athleticism.
Tony Mitchell managed 13 points in only 17 minutes, but was invisible for much of the game - presumably due to foul trouble. He finished with six of them.
Isiah Thomas (the one who has already been a Piston) worked the color commentary for the game, and earned strong reviews from the gamethread with his insights and mellow voice.
The next game will be tomorrow at 3 p.m. against the Memphis Grizzlies.