In what is becoming a clear trend for the Detroit Pistons, Frank Jackson has come from playing very little to serving a major role in the rotation and making a bunch of winning plays along the way.
Jackson had his best game of the season in the 113-100 win against the Houston Rockets tonight. The two-way contract guard started the game, and faced a formidable opposing backcourt in John Wall and Victor Oladipo, but he never backed down. In the end, Jackson scored 23 points while making all five of his attempts from deep and added some solid defense into the mix.
In the first quarter, it looked like the return of John Wall might help end Houston’s (now) 19-game losing streak. Wall got to wherever he wanted on the floor, and put on a passing clinic to boot. Wall and former Piston Christian Wood were a formidable duo early, but Detroit adjusted well.
The Pistons stayed within one after the first quarter and won each of the next three periods.
They did so despite Jerami Grant struggling and, at one point, visibly showing his frustration for what might be the first time all year. Grant made a couple late shots to finish with 18 points on 21 shots, but that ratio was far worse for the majority of the game.
Saddiq Bey replaced some of Grant’s output, scoring 20 points in a variety of ways while adding six rebounds.
The more balanced attack gave Houston issues at all three levels, and Detroit ended up winning the starting unit minutes as a result.
Off the bench, Josh Jackson had one of his better performances in recent memory, creating space off the dribble and getting to the rim on way to a 15 point game on efficient shooting. He also gave us this athletic finish of a Dennis Smith, Jr. lob:
Detroit’s 13-point win gives them their second consecutive victory after they looked a bit rough coming out of the All-Star Break. They seek their first three game winning streak of the season on Sunday at home against the Chicago Bulls.
Other Thoughts:
- Isaiah Stewart was once again really good and made another three. At some point, Dwane Casey needs to look to get him some more minutes with the starting unit.
- Sekou Doumbouya didn’t play in the second half until the very end after an up-and-down first half. He did make a corner three, but he also had multiple defensive lapses.
- Newly signed Tyler Cook got Sekou’s minutes in the second half and had a very active stretch. He and Stewart on the offensive boards together was fun to watch.