Detroit — After another long, sweaty slog, it finally was closing time for the Pistons. They’d led the Cavaliers by 18 but now were tied in the fourth quarter, and it was time to turn to … Daniss Jenkins?
Well, sure. The reserve guard on an incredible journey was ready because everyone is required to be ready on a Pistons team built on depth, defense and defiance. Jenkins embodies all of that, and displayed it just when it appeared the Pistons were letting the series opener slip away.
Many times it’s Cade Cunningham or Tobias Harris rescuing the Pistons. But many times it’s someone else, and the Pistons have lots of someone elses. Jenkins is among the most compelling, and he took over in the final three-plus minutes to lift the Pistons to a 111-101 victory in Game 1 Tuesday night.
Unlike the Cavaliers, who are defined by their two-star backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, the Pistons are defined by shifting roles and sharing moments. Before Jenkins helped the Pistons pull away from a 93-93 tie, it was Jalen Duren, who had struggled in the first round against Orlando.
Duren blocked a shot, grabbed the rebound and dunked. Then Duren grabbed a rebound and dunked. Then Duren grabbed a rebound and dunked. The three consecutive baskets came on passes from Cunningham, as the Pistons restored order and pulled ahead 99-93. The Little Caesars Arena crowd finally erupted, after a night of fits and spurts.
For the Cavs to win this series, they need Mitchell and Harden to score from everywhere, from 3-point range to the paint. For the Pistons to prevail, they need everyone to do a bit of everything. Their defensive game plan isn’t overly complex, always rooted in effort and tenacity. In this series, the intent is even more brutally succinct.
See dynamic Cavs guard. See other dynamic Cavs guard. Pester, poke and prod dynamic Cavs guards and divest them of the ball as often as possible. It was often enough, as Cleveland committed 20 turnovers that led to 31 points, which led to another recitation of their identity.
“That’s who we are defensively, that’s what our physicality does to people,” J.B. Bickerstaff said. “It puts them in tight spots. The aim is to wear you down as much as we possibly can. We want to put our body on you as much as we can, pick you up full court as much as we can. It’s about a series, not just one game. Can we force your legs to be a little bit heavy because we’re putting that weight on you, and see if we can wear you down over a series? It’s not easy.”
At its best, it’s not easy to beat, as the Orlando Magic discovered while heaving 23 consecutive random misses in the Pistons’ Game 6 victory. When the Pistons are rolling in waves, 10 deep with their bench, the energy is relentless.
Jenkins lit it early in this one, scoring six points in the first quarter and finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a game-high four steals. Six points and two rebounds came in the final three minutes. Unlikely difference-maker? Only if you haven’t paid attention all year.
Jenkins was an undrafted free-agent out of St. John’s and twice had to sign two-way contracts with the Pistons before earning a standard deal this season. He’s grown with each experience, and now is vital as a secondary ball-handler and creator alongside Cunningham.
Jenkins was over-amped and shaky in the first round, but in this game, he looked rejuvenated, playing 28-plus minutes. He was one of the principal pests, along with Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland, harassing Cleveland’s guards. Mitchell (23 points) and Harden (22 points) never got going, and shot a combined 5-for-17 from 3-point range.
“We knew this series, their best guys are their guards, and it’s going to be on us to take that matchup personal,” said Jenkins, who unabashedly takes all challenges personal. “If you look on the court, I guarantee everybody knows everybody out there, and I’m thinking, who am I gonna be? Guys look at, who’s that guy on the court? I always stay humble, but I’m trying to make a name for myself.”
Frankly, everyone on the Pistons is trying to make a name, in the franchise’s first trip to the second round in 18 years. The Pistons had lost 12 straight postseason games to Cleveland, but this Pistons team doesn’t resemble what it once was.
Heck, they don’t resemble what they were a week ago, when they trailed the Magic 3-1. They’ve won four straight since, and it was important to see what we saw Tuesday night. Duren unfurled his power with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Holland saw his first significant action of the playoffs and was impactful. Harris scored at least 20 points for the sixth straight game. Duncan Robinson found his deep-shooting touch, 5-for-8 on 3s, and finished with 19 points.
“That’s been our identity all year, just getting energy from basically one through 11, 12, however many we play,” Robinson said. “I’m happy for (Jenkins), he’s been building for it all year. His journey is unique, and it takes somebody with a special will and character to have that story. He has unshakeable confidence for someone who’s been overlooked his whole career, and he just wears it as a chip.”
He played the chip hard on the Cavs’ guards, and they definitely felt it.
“They’re a really good defensive team, but at the end of the day, we still got to find a way to be productive,” Mitchell said. “Thompson’s a hell of a defender. So is Jenkins and all these guys.”
Mitchell committed three turnovers and Harden had seven, as the Pistons stuck to them like a sweaty T-shirt. They jumped right from the start, rolling to a 37-21 lead after the first quarter.
That was a point of emphasis, a learning moment from the previous series, when Orlando popped them in Game 1, setting up the treacherous trek. Harris has been irreplaceable, scoring points and setting tones, making sure the Pistons don’t take anything casually.
“Teams that go to a Game 7 usually relax in this type of game (in the opener),” Harris said. “We needed to keep that type of energy, that type of fuel. We have picked it up, and we seem a little bit more awake and alive.”
They put the opponent to sleep, making the Cavs look sloppy and disoriented for long stretches. But another lesson also played out, as the Pistons committed 12 turnovers and allowed the Cavs to tie it on three free throws by Harden with 5:28 left in the game.
This was a pretty good precursor for what’s expected to be another ugly series. At least, the Pistons hope they can keep it ugly. Much like eighth-seeded Orlando, No. 4 seed Cleveland was considered more dangerous than its record. The Cavs were viewed as a potential Eastern Conference heavyweight after trading for 11-time All-Star Harden in February.
There are all sorts of side angles here, in case any more juice is needed. Two years ago, the Cavs fired Bickerstaff after five seasons as their coach. He wanted nothing to do with the former team angle, or the new contract angle, as he just agreed to a long-term extension.
The only angles the Pistons care about are shooting angles, defensive angles in the passing lanes and rebounding angles. The opponent changes but the plan never does. Attack the ball and the boards, with whatever it takes, whoever it takes.
Bob.wojnowski@detroitnews.com
@bobwojnowski
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Wojo: Pistons hit Cavs from all angles, including the compelling Daniss Jenkins angle
Reporting by Bob Wojnowski, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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