Game Recap: Pistons wrestle away the win, defeating the Suns 109-91

The Suns suffered their first loss of the preseason, but given the nature of exhibition games, it’s not a cause for concern.

Preseason is now halfway over after the Phoenix Suns fall to the Detroit Pistons 109-91.

Without Devin Booker, the Suns struggled from the start, allowing the Pistons to take control and never look back. Detroit had an answer for everything the Suns threw at them, outlasting their opponents with the combined efforts of Tobias Harris and Cade Cunningham. Together, they tallied 47 points, showcasing their offensive prowess and leading the Pistons to a commanding victory.

The Suns attempted to rally, with key players stepping up to fill the void left by Booker’s absence. However, their efforts were thwarted by the Pistons’ relentless defense and sharp shooting. As the game progressed, it became clear that while the Suns have talent, they need to find their rhythm and cohesion as a team to compete at a higher level in the upcoming season. After two dominant games, this one felt like a setback, but it was only preseason.

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Game Flow

First Half

Before the game, news broke that Devin Booker would not be playing against the Pistons. In his place was the promising rookie Ryan Dunn, who had stood out in the previous two preseason games.

Without Booker on the floor, things got a little messy. While it may not have been entirely due to his absence, the Pistons cranked up the defensive pressure. They played full-court defense, making life miserable for the Suns on offense.

Durant went to work nonetheless, finding his rhythm and quickly scoring six points. His efforts helped stabilize the Suns’ offense, but the Pistons’ relentless defense kept the pressure on.

Halfway through the first quarter the Pistons held a 19-12 point lead behind Tobias Harris and his 12 points.

The Pistons continued to pour it on until the end of the first quarter, looking dominant on offense and capitalizing on 67% shooting from the field and 40% from three. They took a 40-29 lead into the second quarter, with their sharp shooting and aggressive playmaking keeping the Suns on their heels.

Beal was keeping the Suns alive with his ability to get into the paint and run with the floater at times. The addition of Monte Morris, Bol Bol, and Mason Plumlee gave a good look at what Beal would look like with the second unit, and maybe coming off the bench. He was ball-dominant and thrived next to Josh Okogie who was playing the small forward.

The Suns looked energetic, though they didn’t score much, there was a spark in their play.

Midway through the second quarter, the game’s main storyline was the battle between Dunn and Cunningham. Dunn was eager to capitalize after last week’s game, where Cunningham had been limited on offense. However, Dunn struggled, committing two quick fouls, which made it difficult for Suns Coach Mike Budenholzer to keep him in the game.

Entering the half, the Pistons still held on to a strong lead, 65-50, behind Harris and Cunningham combining for 38 points.

Second Half

The Pistons continued to dominate, extending their lead to 20 points heading into the third quarter. It was clear to everyone that it was just preseason, so there wasn’t much reason to panic or push too hard. However, when the second unit hit the floor in the third quarter, the momentum began to shift. A thunderous dunk from Bol Bol ignited the crowd, and suddenly, the Suns were back in the game cutting the Pistons lead to 12.

With the energy in the arena rising, the second unit ramped up their intensity, pushing the pace and showing flashes of what they could bring to the regular season. Fans could feel the momentum shifting, and the Suns’ bench was alive with excitement.

Behind Dunns’ energy, anything is possible!

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Suns still lacked the run they needed to get back into the game. Although they had built some momentum, it seemed to slip away as the Pistons continued to make every shot. Despite the Suns’ efforts to mount a comeback, Detroit’s sharpshooters kept hitting their mark, maintaining a comfortable lead.

As the clock wound down, frustration set in for the Suns, who struggled to find their rhythm against the relentless Pistons defense. Every time it looked like they might close the gap, Detroit responded with clutch baskets, leaving the Suns scrambling. Ultimately, it was a tough lesson in resilience for the Suns as they faced a well-oiled Pistons squad.

The Pistons didn’t let the Suns come close to taking the lead, and ran away with it, winning 109-91.

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Next up for the Suns? The Denver Nuggets on Sunday afternoon at 5:30 AZ time. See you then!