If there was any doubt about the importance of Blake Griffin, this recent 3-game slide should put the issue to rest. With Blake Griffin in the lineup, the Pistons can be a very good team and go toe-to-toe with just about anybody. Without Blake the team struggles to score, establish a rhythm and looks completely overmatched.
That was evident for the second straight game against the Indiana Pacers, who easily handled the Pistons 108-89 at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday.
the Blake-less Pistons struggled again out of the gate — scoring only 15 points in the first quarter and 36 for the half.