The Detroit Pistons underestimated the Brooklyn Nets. I know I did, but I’m just a columnist. The Pistons seemed unprepared to take on such a mighty task in… the Nets? Sure they have Brook Lopez, an All-Star center, but he alone surely couldn’t be enough against a whole team. Wrong! For one, Lopez dominated his match up against Pistons Center Andre Drummond (34 pts 11 rebs), and for two, The Nets played as a team.

Coming into last nights match up the Nets were 1-3, and coming off a 30 point whooping at the hands of the Chicago Bulls.In my opinion the Pistons are better than the Bulls, but after what Brooklyn did, I have to go reassess my thoughts. I started the process when the Nets took a 71-55 lead into the locker room at halftime. I repeat, the Brooklyn Nets put up 71! In two quarters!

Brooklyn won the rebounding battle 45-38 and dominated in the paint, 50-34. If they weren’t killing down low, Brooklyn was bombing from outside, shooting 48% from downtown. The Nets committed more turnovers (19 to Detroit’s 13), but scored more points off of turnovers, 25-10. Yes, the Pistons transition defense was God-awful last night. I’m not sure what was worse, that or the perimeter defense, because no one was rotating to the open shooter.

Andre Drummond finished the game in single digits for the second night in a row, this time ending the game with just 6 points. Detroit was carried by Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris, who both finished the game with 23 points a piece. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope contributed 15 points, but in the end, Brook Lopez and second year player Sean Kilpatrick, were too much for the low energy Pistons.

Brooklyn’s bench scored 50 points, Detroit’s, 25. The above mentioned Kilpatrick scored 24 points, and pulled down 10 boards. The Pistons Stanley Johnson continues to be a no-show for the Pistons. Tonight scoring 0 points, after scoring just 1 point yesterday.

What was missing is the balanced attack,the high energy,  and great ball movement the Pistons had in the three straight wins they enjoyed. And Most of all, defense.

“We didn’t guard anybody,” Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said. “We came with no energy. We couldn’t keep up with their pace. We couldn’t guard them on pick and roll. Brooklyn played very well, moved the ball, shot the ball very well. They outplayed us for 48 minutes in every aspect of the game. Every game is a new game and we brought nothing to the table defensively tonight and we couldn’t guard anybody, so of course it’s disappointing.”

Next game will be Saturday November 5 against the Denver Nuggets. Plenty of time to regroup.