Pistons High / Low: Pistons dominate the paint to win big against the Knicks

The Detroit Pistons needed slight work to build up a large lead and hold off the New York Knicks 112-92. Tobias Harris, staring again, led the Pistons with 28 points, 23 of which put up in the first half. Andre Drummond’s 24 points came on 10-12 shooting, also collecting 15 rebounds and three steals.

To the tape!

High

The Pistons outscored the Knicks 50-26 in the paint thanks in a large to a dedicated game plan of getting to the rim.

Tobias Harris set an aggressive tone early in looking for his shot:

Chasing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over the screen will always set up that swing pass back to the screener (Jon Leuer must learn how to knock it down). It will also set up KCP to get fouled on a three point attempts as, eventually, Caldwell-Pope will pull up while his defender will have no brakes.

Harris showed he could finish right and left:

Lead the break, run the PNR and exploit cheaters:

And score in isolation:

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The point guard play continues to be strong as both Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith left their fingerprints on the game.

Smith to Dre:

Jackson with the steal and finish:

Which should look familiar:

After the steal/dunk against Dallas, Jackson came up lame with left knee trouble. Against New York, he jumps off the wrong (right) foot to make a right handed layup. Anything to it?

Probably not:

Both off the left foot, no hesitancy.

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Andre Drummond continued his strong, efficient and dominate play with familiar rim rolls and rebounds but these two steals stood out:

In both cases, Drummond didn’t gamble to generate the steal. First, he picks off the the rolling pass (which he’s really good at) and next Dre anticipates the play sequence to knock the ball loose.

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What’s the easiest way to get a hoop:

Follow Ish on his way to the hoop.

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Stanley Johnson loves his pull up jump shot but this was the better choice:

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Low

Speaking of that pull up:

Bailed out.

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A tad bit better defensive paint conversation is needed:

Here too:

Drummond’s got to hold ground for one more count.

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Good passing by the Knicks:

Harris doesn’t recover quite in time.

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New York made a run in the third quarter:

....but that was about it.

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Big week: at Cleveland and home to Utah, Toronto and Phoenix.