#2 - Pistons@Knicks - 7:30pm ET

[bstein14]

I'd like to see Ausar contribute a bit more, he's starting, and has mostly been a foul machine in this series. We need him to be better. Good experience for him though.

I actually think there's a chance we switch him off Brunson and onto KAT at some point this series. But I do like his speed and athleticism on Brunson but Brunson's BBall IQ is high he's able to really get Ausar in to foul trouble a lot an it will continue to be an issue as the series goes on.

[Moses ShamMoses]

I'd like to see Ausar contribute a bit more, he's starting, and has mostly been a foul machine in this series. We need him to be better. Good experience for him though.

I actually think there's a chance we switch him off Brunson and onto KAT at some point this series. But I do like his speed and athleticism on Brunson but Brunson's BBall IQ is high he's able to really get Ausar in to foul trouble a lot an it will continue to be an issue as the series goes on.

Its certainly possible he guards someone else, but it'll be his third game in a row guarding the same player Brunson, I'd prefer to see him make adjustments and figure out how to guard the guy without dumb fouls. It starts with watching the tape and getting coached up.

[zeebneeb]

One thing I haven't seen enough talk about, is that this team is a streak breaker. I mean, the amount of streaks(bad ones)this team has destroyed, that the previous 17 years of horrific basketball set, is insane.

Its like they are just getting rid of the chains that held the franchise down, shrugging them off, and moving forward.

Last season really hardened these guys, big time. They know what its like to lose, in the worst possible fashion, amd they've had enough.

Also, Cade has been amazing for his very first playoff series thus far. I saw a graphic last night, that he was one of only three players in NBA history to I think(cannot remember. Was to damn excited while watching)average the points rebounds and assists he has through his first two playoff games.(one was Oscar Robinson)

27PPG
9RPG
7.5APG
1SPG

I mean, thats crazy for your first two playoff games. He would have even higher assist numbers, but nobody could hit a damn shot he passed them last night.

[flow]

I'd like to see Ausar contribute a bit more, he's starting, and has mostly been a foul machine in this series. We need him to be better. Good experience for him though.

Brunson literally celebrated when Ausar fouled out. Nothing says "this guy is defending his ass off" more than that. Ausar is contributing plenty.

.

[MortSahlfan]

I'd like to see Ausar contribute a bit more, he's starting, and has mostly been a foul machine in this series. We need him to be better. Good experience for him though.

Brunson literally celebrated when Ausar fouled out. Nothing says "this guy is defending his ass off" more than that. Ausar is contributing plenty.

.

He spent all game keeping track how many fouls Ausar had for that very reason.

[kierkegaard]

I'd like to see Ausar contribute a bit more, he's starting, and has mostly been a foul machine in this series. We need him to be better. Good experience for him though.

Brunson literally celebrated when Ausar fouled out. Nothing says "this guy is defending his ass off" more than that. Ausar is contributing plenty.

.

He spent all game keeping track how many fouls Ausar had for that very reason.

That's why he clanked that 3 at the very end. So relieved to have Ausar finally gone, Brunson forgot to focus!

[joedumars1]

Fouling problems or refereeing problems.

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Yeah, I hate how they can pick and chose what/when to call something. Two of the fouls on ausar where definitely wtf. His first one, Brunson can make the contact and it be a foul on ausar? Thought they made the kick out rule on shooting, you can’t kick out, but you can run into and get the call. I just would like to see it called the other way for Cade if we calling it on our end

Woah, I just seen the clips, his first
Foul isn’t even on here. This isn’t ai is it? Lmfao. Them
Calls are terrible

[Absolutia]

I'd like to see Ausar contribute a bit more, he's starting, and has mostly been a foul machine in this series. We need him to be better. Good experience for him though.

I actually think there's a chance we switch him off Brunson and onto KAT at some point this series. But I do like his speed and athleticism on Brunson but Brunson's BBall IQ is high he's able to really get Ausar in to foul trouble a lot an it will continue to be an issue as the series goes on.

Any real success this team will have will be in the future as we're really in development. This year could provide the perfect opportunity for Ausar to get some experience, maybe learn the hard way and give him the chance to turn it around in the series. It all depends on how much we want to win the series and whether the aforementioned concept is realistic.

[kierkegaard]

I'd like to see Ausar contribute a bit more, he's starting, and has mostly been a foul machine in this series. We need him to be better. Good experience for him though.

I actually think there's a chance we switch him off Brunson and onto KAT at some point this series. But I do like his speed and athleticism on Brunson but Brunson's BBall IQ is high he's able to really get Ausar in to foul trouble a lot an it will continue to be an issue as the series goes on.

Any real success this team will have will be in the future as we're really in development. This year could provide the perfect opportunity for Ausar to get some experience, maybe learn the hard way and give him the chance to turn it around in the series. It all depends on how much we want to win the series and whether the aforementioned concept is realistic.

Yes, for all his assets, Ausar is not crafty as a defender. A whole series against Brunson will help him in that regard.

Brunson is the new Chris Paul. I know, it's irritating as hell. But Brunson has veteran status in the eyes of the refs and he's going to take full advantage. It's a great opportunity for Ausar to become more savvy.

[MortSahlfan]

Brunson is going to break his neck with all those head snaps

[flow]

On to Game 3, which will be the toughest. I'm sure the stat is kept somewhere, but when a decidedly favored team in a best of 7 series loses Game 2 at home, they seemingly always bounce back & win Game 3 on the road. While we get an extra day to revel in winning Game 2, the Knicks get an extra day to be pissed and make adjustments. JB needs to get them into a we're down 0-2 mindset and really prepare for what's coming Thursday night. The effort was fantastic last night. Just don't let up.

[Canadafan]

What a game. Anyone going to game 3 or game 4? I'd luv to cheers any one of you for a quick go pistons moment

[Snakebites]

This does remind me of the good old days when I'd develop a dislike for opposing players based on annoying but perfectly normal things they do against the Pistons in a playoff game.

Jalen Brunson definitely falls into that category- I felt myself getting more and more irritated with him as the game went on. And I've been a fan of his game for years. If we're honest the foul seeking we're seeing from him isn't anything we haven't been seeing from superstar ball handlers for a decade now. But it FEELS different- because it's being done to us in a meaningful game. Because we're in a meaningful game.

It's really taking me back.

[the_l_train]

Yes, for all his assets, Ausar is not crafty as a defender.

What does this even mean? Anyone else guarding Brunson would’ve fouled out by halftime.

Refs got in their heads with the “REFS YOU SUCK” chants and took it out on Ausar. Played some of the best full court defense you can play outside of Lou Dort, but not crafty enough for you???

[MortSahlfan]

Front Office Sports: The NBA Playoffs drew its biggest opening weekend viewership in 25 years. Viewership is up +17% from last season’s playoffs.

Yeah, we know this is Detroit (especially with so many eyes on/in NYC)

[blog_pistons]

More about AUSAR

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And here, about how play defense:

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And Tobias and Reed played very well:

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[tmorgan]

I’ve come around on Dennis. I was wrong. We should try and bring him back, as long as he’s semi-affordable.

I called him a JAG, but JAGs don’t do what he did yesterday.

We do need to make a couple moves, though, and not just run it back. THJ should be gone unless he takes a tiny deal to stay — him starting at the three isn’t going to work. That needs to be Ausar’s spot, freeing up some minutes in our guard logjam. Cade, Ivey, Holland, Beasley and Schroder (and Sasser, jeez) is still too many guys, though.

Sasser should probably be cashed out for something, both to free up salary and to give him a chance at some run. Tek should probably be moved along, too, as the one major upgrade we need is another quality 4/5 — preferably one that can shoot.

Sorry, got off track there. Just wanted to throw my support behind Dennis as our backup PG next year.

[Cowology]

We've been pressuring all 94 feet, but the full court press is where Ausar is picking up these stupid fouls.

We'd be better off with *light* pressure or just getting back on D. Deny him the ball where you can, pick & choose spots to trap, but I'm not sure it's worth continuing to pick him up 80 ft from the basket. Brunson is too quick/crafty.

[TPA]

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[Snakebites]

It must be said that Paul Reed was a perfectly adequate Stewart replacement yesterday.

I like Stewart but I also think his importance was overstated by some after the last game.