New York — In a season of mostly misery and doom, Pistons rookie Sekou Doumbouya had one of the high points. In an otherwise nondescript matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 7, the Pistons’ fortunes seemed to change.
Doumbouya took a pass at the top of key, above the 3-point line, and faked, getting past his defender Kevin Love. Doumbouya drove the lane and Cavs center Tristan Thompson jumped in the lane, looking to draw an offensive foul. The rookie rose above Thompson and dunked viciously, sending Pistons fans into a frenzy.
About a week later, Doumbouya had a career-high 24 points against the Celtics, in what seemed to be a harbinger of more dunks, more buckets and more improvement from Doumbouya.