Suns’ defense fails to slow down shorthanded Pistons in loss
Feb 5, 2020, 7:40 PM
Phoenix Suns guard Ricky Rubio (11) passes as Detroit Pistons guard Jordan Bone (18) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Phoenix Suns couldn’t use any excuses on Wednesday night. They weren’t playing the second game of a back-to-back like they were in Brooklyn on Monday, and while a good chunk of their rotation remains out due to injury, the same applies to the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit is without All-Star Blake Griffin and key rotation pieces like Luke Kennard, Derrick Rose, Markieff Morris and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk.
Even having the Pistons without all those bodies, the Suns couldn’t stop them in a 116-108 loss.
Phoenix’s defense couldn’t prevent the Pistons from getting continuous easy looks. Detroit did some of that through 14 offensive rebounds and getting inside, where it scored 66 points in the paint.
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The Pistons’ offense clearly didn’t feel much pressure, as the No. 19 team in assist-to-turnover ratio had 31 assists and only six turnovers.
This was all the more painful for the Suns because they had one of their best offensive nights in a bit, all while going heavily into their rotation. Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mikal Bridges all played at least 40 minutes, with Monty Williams clearly trying to push for a win.
Oubre didn’t seem fazed by reports the Suns were taking calls on his availability and had a team-high 30 points. Ayton produced again with 26 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and four blocks while Booker added 22 points and seven assists.
The Suns shot above 45% from three-point range for only the second time this season at 12-of-26 (46.2%).
It was a bizarre night to watch Ricky Rubio, as the inconsistency of his strong impact on a game continues throughout the season.
The Suns’ point guard missed all four shots he took until a garbage time layup. That and two free throws in the fourth quarter kept him from being scoreless. He did all of that with 11 assists, but 10 of those came in the first half. He had one rebound, four steals and five turnovers.
Andre Drummond had a game-high 31 points and 19 rebounds for Detroit and Reggie Jackson outplayed Rubio with 25 points, five rebounds and 10 assists. Christian Wood’s 21 points off the bench outscored all of Phoenix’s bench (13), which was without Cam Johnson, Aron Baynes, Frank Kaminsky, Dario Saric, Tyler Johnson and Ty Jerome.
It’s the Suns’ last game before Thursday’s trade deadline. They return to action on Friday against the Houston Rockets at 7 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
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