For the opening 24 minutes of the game the Detroit Pistons seemed as if they were a truly formidable opponent to the Utah Jazz. It was arguably the best defensive showing that we’ve seen from Detroit this year, and the score was an easy indicator – Detroit lead 40-39 at the half.
So yes, admittedly the Pistons were having their fair share of struggles as well. Both teams were forcing the other to take shots that they didn’t want to take. They were seemingly always contested looks and any play in the low post was met with bodies and ferocity.