John Collins gave the Pistons exactly the kind of answer they were hoping for.
After a rough season opener against the Celtics, Detroit’s new forward came back with a 23-point night in Game 2 against the Heat, and the follow-up mattered beyond the box score. Collins’ performance didn’t just steady his own start with the team - it hinted at a Pistons lineup with far more scoring pop than expected.
Before the season even began, Collins’ limitations as a self-creator were already being picked apart. He stepped into the starting five spot that belonged to Tobias Harris, and Harris had been Detroit’s second-best creator during last year’s playoffs. So when Collins arrived as the replacement, the Pistons were left with questions about where that shot creation would come from.
What Collins brings, though, is a different kind of value. He’s a cleaner finisher than Harris and a more willing shooter from deep, and he showed that in Miami.
Collins went 5-of-6 from three-point range, firing without hesitation whenever he found even a sliver of space, whether in the corners or above the break. If he keeps putting that kind of pressure on defenses, opponents won’t be able to ignore him.
He also quieted the idea that he can’t make things happen on his own. Collins scored on drives and post-ups against defenders like Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell, and he did it in spots where the Pistons needed someone to take control.
That was especially important with bench units, where Detroit can sometimes be short on offensive punch. Collins stepped into that role and delivered.
That kind of night could end up meaning more than just one hot performance. If Collins keeps taking advantage of smaller or weaker defenders, he gives Detroit another way to attack when teams load up on Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. That’s the real upside here: not that Collins needs to score 20-plus every game, but that he can swing a matchup when the opportunity is there.
And if he does that consistently, the Pistons’ offensive ceiling climbs fast. Add in Duncan Robinson, and Detroit suddenly has multiple starters capable of putting up big numbers in the right spot. That kind of depth gives the Pistons more weapons now, and it gives them a better chance to be a real problem by playoff time.
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Ausar Thompson Injury Suddenly Casts A Shadow Over Pistons Win
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Pistons Fast Start Just Took A Jalen Duren Concern Fans Feared
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Duren had been active before the setback, putting up four points, six rebounds and three assists in 10 minutes while giving the Pistons a solid presence inside. For a team leaning on its frontcourt to set the tone early, the next update on Duren matters plenty, especially with Detroit looking to turn a strong opening into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Former Bucks Guard Malik Beasley Faces New Questions About His NBA Future
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The case carries obvious weight for a player whose name has already been linked to a broader investigation involving former NBA player Ed Davis and other defendants. The indictment alleges Beasley manipulated performances to benefit gamblers, a serious accusation that hangs over any discussion of where his career goes next and whether an NBA team would be willing to take on that uncertainty. [Read more 🡒]