si
The Detroit Pistons shook off a sluggish first quarter and dominated the second half to secure a 110-94 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in the opening game of NBA Cup group play. With the win, Detroit remains alone atop the Eastern Conference standings with a 5-1 overall record.
Here are three key observations from the Pistons' win over the still-winless Nets.
Pistons Prove They Can Overcome Slow Starts
Throughout the early portion of the season, Detroit had developed a reputation for jumping on opponents early, often building double-digit leads by the end of the first quarter. However, that pattern did not hold on Friday night at Barclays Center. For the first time this season, the Pistons trailed after one period, falling behind Brooklyn 28-21.
Poor three-point shooting contributed to Detroit's slow start, but the team responded with a dominant second half, flipping the script and securing the win to kick off NBA Cup group play on a positive note.
Ron Holland II Delivers Long-Awaited Breakout
One of the few blemishes on Detroit's strong start had been the play of 2024 No. 5 overall pick Ron Holland II. Entering Friday's game, Holland had been averaging more turnovers and fouls per game than points, drawing increased scrutiny.
Against the Nets, the former top-five pick finally showed why the Pistons drafted him so highly. Holland poured in 18 points and recorded four steals in just 22 minutes of action. He scored 14 of those points in the third quarter alone, connecting on 6-of-10 shots from the field. It was the kind of performance that could ignite Holland's confidence after a rocky beginning to his rookie campaign—and one he desperately needed.
Pistons Display Strong Team Chemistry
Beyond Holland's 18 points, Detroit showcased excellent chemistry with four other players scoring in double figures. Cade Cunningham, fresh off his first 30-plus-point outing of the season, again led the way with 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists on 6-of-15 shooting.
Duncan Robinson added 17 points, Paul Reed contributed 12, and Ausar Thompson chipped in 11, highlighting an all-around spirited effort for the Pistons in their NBA Cup opener.
Detroit will now step away from NBA Cup play for a stretch of regular-season games before returning to tournament action on Friday, Nov. 20, when they host the Toronto Raptors in their second of four group-stage matchups.