Las Vegas — The Pistons’ second summer league game against the Houston Rockets was initially billed as a battle between the Thompson brothers, but Sunday’s matchup was still an entertaining showcase of basketball between two young teams.
The Pistons came up short in a lopsided 113-101 loss, but the game was highly-competitive and at times, chippy. There were several moments which resulted in highlights, such as Jalen Duren’s reverse dunk over Jabari Smith Jr., or Ausar Thompson’s backward bounce pass to James Wiseman for an explosive dunk as he was fouled.
However, the Pistons couldn’t contain Smith Jr., who finished with a game-high 38 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Early in the fourth quarter, Smith knocked down a difficult stepback 3-pointer over Wiseman. As he ran back down the court, he chirped at several members of the Pistons’ main roster who were sitting courtside. It was the ultimate display of confidence as he led the Rockets to their second win of the Las Vegas Summer League. Smith Jr. received a warm ovation from the crowd when he checked out of the game with 11.8 seconds left.
“I thought they turned up the physicality from the jump and it took us a little minute to respond,” said Pistons summer league coach Jarrett Jack. “I thought our defense was a little spacey. Over the course of the 40 minutes, I thought their pressure and physicality was too much for us tonight.”
The Pistons were led by Jaden Ivey, who bounced back from a tough game with 22 points and nine assists. Wiseman added a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Duren totaled 19 points and 10 rebounds, but struggled with foul trouble. Thompson had 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Detroit falls to 1-1 in summer play will have two days off before facing the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Here are a few observations from Sunday’s loss to the Rockets:
▶ Ivey rebounds: Ivey didn’t have the best showing on Saturday after struggling with his shooting and taking care of the ball, but he appeared much more poised against the Rockets. Ivey had full control as a playmaker and scorer. After totaling six turnovers on Saturday, Ivey had four but they weren’t as costly. Ivey connected on 9-of-15 from the field and appeared motivated to shake off any rust from the previous game. Ivey started the second half with his signature one-handed slam that drew cheers from the crowd. Ivey and Duren are established in the Pistons rotation, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they don’t play in the team’s final two games. The most important takeaway from Ivey’s performance was his ability to have a short memory and regain his momentum that earned him All-Rookie honors.
▶ Wiseman’s poise: Wiseman picked up exactly where he left off from Saturday’s win over the Orlando Magic. He scored six points in the first quarter and showed a variety of moves from his offensive skillset. His first field goal of the game was a long two-pointer, which was initially ruled a 3-pointer. After that, he went to work in the post and Even when Wiseman was doubled, he made the right moves by making the right reads and passing to the open guy, particularly when he found Duren for a dunk. Duren returned the favor in the third quarter when he led threaded a pass backwards to a trailing Wiseman for an explosive one-handed dunk.
“Being out for 18 months and being resilient and having to go through that, mentally, being resilient, I feel like it made me stronger but I’m just going out and playing with passion,” Wiseman said.
▶ Jabari Smith Jr.’s dominance: Smith Jr. was fresh off a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to beat the Portland Trail Blazers and that momentum carried over into this matchup with the Pistons. The former No. 3 pick knocked down an array of jumpers that helped him reach 15 points, four rebounds and four assists in the first 10 minutes. He continued to dominate the game by using his ball-handling and post moves to make his mark in the interior at moments when Detroit played with one center. If Smith can establish himself as a force on the offensive end, it’ll bode well for the Rockets that improved its roster by adding Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks.
▶ Thompson’s shooting struggles: After not attempting any jump shots in Detroit’s summer league opener, Thompson attempted three jumpers early in the second quarter. Unfortunately, all three of those jumpers were either short or off target. Thompson did defend well and rebound just as he did against the Magic. The perimeter shot is an area Thompson admits that he needs to improve on and it could develop over time, but shooting won’t be his responsibility. The Pistons have designated shooters and it’ll be Thompson’s task to get them the ball, along with rebounding and defending. As long as he focuses on his strengths, he should be just fine.
▶ Boeheim’s hot streak continues: Buddy Boeheim, who was a two-way player for the Pistons last season, had his rights renounced recently, and it appears that he’s using his summer league opportunity to prove he belongs in the the league. Boeheim finished with nine points while making all three of his 3-pointers on Saturday and he followed up with a 3-of-4 performance from distance against the Rockets.
▶ Watch party: The Pistons were well-represented on Saturday as several members of the team’s main roster sat courtside to partake in the festivities. Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart and Marvin Bagley III were in attendance for the second consecutive day. They were joined by Alec Burks, Killian Hayes and Monte Morris, the Flint native who was traded to the Pistons on the first day of free agency. It’s a good look for the Pistons to have that kind of support from several of the team’s mainstays.
mcurtis@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @MikeACurtis2