Pistons’ Tobias Harris impresses in preseason debut vs. Suns

The Detroit Pistons have been placing collectively a formidable preseason displaying together with their 109-91 win in opposition to the Phoenix Suns. Friday night time’s matchup featured the preseason debut of ahead Tobias Harris. The presence of the 14-year veteran left fairly an impression after serving to enhance the Pistons to 2-1 in exhibition motion.

Harris scored 22 factors on 8-of-13 taking pictures in 26 minutes for Detroit. Twenty of these factors got here within the first half, which carried early momentum for the Pistons. He was additionally impactful defensively, resulting in transition scoring alternatives.

One of many largest low season plans for Detroit’s entrance low season was buying skilled expertise to assist complement their younger core. Signing Harris to a two-year settlement this summer season was a type of priorities.

After lacking the primary two preseason video games because of COVID, Detroit’s veteran ahead performed like a seamless match. Harris confirmed off his multidimensional scoring prowess with off-ball catch-and-shoot appears to be like, creating his midrange pull-ups, and even scoring in quick break conditions.

The Pistons have been in quest of a flexible scoring ahead who matches Harris’ position over the previous few years. Throughout apply this previous Wednesday, he spoke on the advantages of his play type and the way it can assist the workforce.

“For a man like myself, having the ability to catch and shoot, having the ability to discover passing lanes for various guys for open appears to be like and being aggressive and utilizing my dimension and velocity to punish the little guys, or blow by slower forwards, that’s been the secret my complete profession,” Harris stated Wednesday, per Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press. “Clearly for us, it’s simply determining totally different guys, personnel-wise on the ground, how they complement one another, and the way we will make the sport straightforward for one another.”

Cade Cunningham finishes with close to triple-double

Probably the most dominant efficiency on the ground got here from Pistons level guard Cade Cunningham. After struggling to seek out an offensive rhythm within the first two preseason video games, Cunningham bounced again by virtually recording a triple-double on the highway in opposition to Phoenix.

Cunningham completed the night time main all gamers with 25 factors, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists in half-hour of play. There have been no indicators of inefficiency as he knocked down 10-16 discipline targets for Detroit. Cunningham can be displaying an enchancment in his ball-handling by solely surrendering two turnovers to the Suns.

The newly acquired veterans are already producing a promising glimpse of the Pistons’ offensive manufacturing. The shooters are opening up higher scoring lanes for Cunningham and have created area permitting him to play within the publish extra typically.

Detroit’s spacing can be doing wonders for beginning backcourt accomplice Jaden Ivey. The 6-4 taking pictures guard completed with 16 factors for the Pistons and utilized his breakaway velocity at will in opposition to the Suns.

Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has stored his phrase by staggering the beginning guards with the backup unit. This creates extra time for every participant to work on-ball reps as the first decision-maker. Additionally they have taken benefit of alternatives to determine their chemistry on the ground collectively. Bickerstaff spoke on the significance of chemistry throughout Media Day earlier than the preseason started.

“They actually perceive and can maintain getting higher at play off of each other. Additionally with set one another up,” Bickerstaff defined. “They’re totally different of their recreation however the identical large man has to make choices on a play-by-play. Whether or not he is coping with Cade utilizing his dimension and shiftiness, or J.I. utilizing that velocity. I believe it makes defenses need to make some powerful choices and we sit up for maintain creating it.”