Ron Holland takes over but Pistons offense sinks in summer league loss to Timberwolves
They were held to just 38.1% overall shooting (24-for-63) and 28% from 3 (7-for-25), and also committed 21 turnovers. Ron Holland led the team with 22 points, six rebounds, six steals and seven turnovers on 6-for-12 overall shooting, Tolu Smith scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds and Chaz Lanier added 12 points.
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Daniss Jenkins also had a notable performance with 11 points and seven assists. Terrence Shannon Jr. led the Wolves with 24 points.
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Ron Holland takes over in third quarter
Detroit Pistons forward Ron Holland dribbles in the first half of a preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
The second-year forward had a quiet start to the game, entering halftime with just five points. Both buckets were tough makes, though — the first a one-handed finish through traffic, the second a midrange jumper after getting his feet set with a euro-like step.
Holland proceeded to score 13 points in the third period, leading a run that brought the Pistons within a point, 58-57, after they were outscored by 10 points in the second quarter. A steal and transition dunk cut the deficit to 48-47, and he was responsible for their final two buckets of the third — a right-handed layup after driving from behind the 3-point arc, and a stepback 3-pointer, his first make on two attempts.
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Another right-handed layup from Holland early in the fourth cut the deficit to one again, 60-59, before the Wolves finally took control of the game for good. Beyond his scoring, Holland was very active defensively and in the passing lanes and was responsible for six of the Pistons' eight team steals.
The only blight on Holland's game was his playmaking, as he finished with seven turnovers and an assist. Otherwise, he was one of the best players on the floor for the third consecutive game.
READ MORE: Why Duncan Robinson was fired up to join Pistons
Chaz Lanier gaining comfort from 3-point range
The 37th overall pick in June's draft knocked down four of his 12 attempts from 3 on Tuesday after going 4-for-11 from deep during their second game Sunday, July 13. His percentage through his last two games (34.8%) is an improvement after he went 2-for-7 in their summer league opener against the New York Knicks July 9.
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Lanier hasn't been able to get the rest of his game going, though. He was just 4-for-14 overall on Tuesday (28.6%) after going 5-for-14 (35.7%) on Sunday and 4-for-11 (36.4%) during his debut. Their Pistons' loss to the Wolves was the first time Lanier didn't play with former Tennessee teammate Zakai Zeigler, who sat after appearing in their first two games.
Tolu Smith maintains consistency
The 6-foot-11 big man has been one of the Pistons' most productive players in summer league. Tuesday marked his third time in as many games scoring at least 15 points, and he's shooting 14-for-27 overall (51.9%) thus far. He has also grabbed 29 rebounds, and is averaging just under a double-double per game.
Smith also has six blocks in Vegas. Unlike his first two games, he did most of his scoring at the line Tuesday against the Wolves by making 8 of 12 free throws.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons offense sinks in blowout summer league loss to Timberwolves
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