DETROIT - Zaza Pachulia has given the Detroit Pistons productive minutes off the bench, especially in games when Andre Drummond has taken an early seat due to foul trouble.
Pachulia has scored 16 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in 30 minutes the past two games.
"He's a settling effect and he's smart, an experienced player," Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. "He's a screener, he's a good passer. I got to talk to him about his hops under the basket."
The Pistons signed the 6-11 Pachulia, 34, to a one-year deal in the off-season after he won back-to-back championships with the Golden State Warriors.