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LAS VEGAS – The Detroit Pistons have started the first quarter of their Summer League campaign well. But the team’s offense cooled in the second quarter and the Oklahoma City Thunder took the opportunity to shatter Detroit’s goal to be undefeated.
The Thunder pulled away in the second frame of action and continued to put their foot on the gas to take down Pistons 76-72.
Forward Sadiq Bey led Detroit with 14 points after making six of his 13 field attempts. Known for his shooting, Bey only attempted four shots from a distance. Guard Cade Cunningham scored 12 points, while Tyler Cook added 11. Center Luka Garza added nine points.
Second-year guard Killian Hayes has come back strong after missing 41 games last season with a hip injury. The 20-year-old tried to empower his teammates, especially in the fourth quarter, as the team reduced Oklahoma City’s double-digit lead to four. Hayes finished the night with six points, nine rebounds and five assists after picking up the pace for the team in the closing minutes of the game.
It’s not quite the start that newly-drafted Pistons goaltender Cunningham looked to start his tenure with Detroit. He sank 3 consecutive points on Hayes assists to score his first points in a Pistons uniform. Both showed flashes of nascent chemistry that the Pistons can pass up on their attack.
The pair created plenty of opportunities for their teammates to reverse shots. Unfortunately for the team, they failed to capitalize. Detroit only completed seven of its 27 distance tries. Cunningham and Hayes also helped their teammates take advantage of the line, but the Pistons have shown they are still working to overcome the shooting issues that plagued them the previous season.
Although the Pistons opened their Summer League with a loss, the team showed some positive steps after just a week of training together.
The Pistons will play four more games, but their winning percentage over the next three games will determine whether they advance to the Championship game. Detroit will face Jalen Green, the No.2 pick in this year’s draft, and the Houston Rockets on Tuesday at 9 p.m.
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