The Detroit Pistons could not stop the woeful and depleted Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
Now the Pistons are tasked with trying to defend the best team in the Eastern Conference when they host the Toronto Raptors on Monday.
Detroit set a franchise record by making 23 3-pointers in Memphis Archie Bradley Jersey , yet still lost 130-117. Conversely, the Pistons allowed season highs of 57.8 percent shooting and 130 points.
Coach Stan Van Gundy, whose job status will be determined shortly after the season, was mortified how easily the Grizzlies picked his team apart.
“Our defense was horrendous,” Van Gundy told reporters. “They scored over 30 in every quarter. There’s nothing to be happy about there. Our effort was bad. Our concentration was bad. We were terrible defensively.”
The Pistons (38-42) had won eight of their previous 10 games following a stretch of 13 losses in 16 games, which assured them of its ninth losing season in the last decade since reaching the Eastern Conference finals in 2008.
“You’ve got to finish strong,” Detroit point guard Ish Smith told Pistons.com. “But these teams are good, too. What you have to do is be ready to play at all times. Guys are playing with freedom. They’re getting an opportunity to play. I’ve been in that position several times. That’s what these teams are doing — being aggressive and playing with a lot of freedom.
Toronto (58-22) has contributed to the Pistons’ woes, winning the first three games of the four-game season series. The last meeting brought the most entertainment value, with the Raptors pulling out a 121-119 overtime win on Detroit’s home floor March 7. DeMar DeRozan scored 42 points and Fred VanVleet hit the game-winning shot with 1.1 seconds remaining.
DeRozan and center Jonas Valanciunas were rested in Sunday’s 112-101 home victory over Orlando while VanVleet exited with lower back tightness C.J. Miles scored a team-high 22 points off the bench and rookie forward OG Anunoby supplied a career-high 21 points and eight rebounds.
“We needed it. He needed that,” coach Dwane Casey said of Anunoby’s outing. “We’re trying to rest people. It’s not like we totally need rest Youth Johnny Townsend Jersey , but I feel like it’s the prudent thing to do for our team.”
Point guard Kyle Lowry could get a rest against Detroit, though he feels he doesn’t need one. Lowry contributed 11 points and seven assists on Sunday.
“I haven’t played that many minutes this year, so it’s a little bit different for me,” said Lowry, who averages 32.2 minutes this season after playing 37.4 per game last season “I don’t need the rest. We get paid to play.”
Toronto center Lucas Noguiera left Sunday’s game early with hamstring tightness. Nogueira’s exit increases the possibility that Valanciunas will dress on Monday.
The Pistons will be missing two regulars.
Forward Blake Griffin has been sidelined the last five games with an ankle injury. Shooting guard Reggie Bullock has been shut down due to a swollen knee.
Toronto has the Eastern Conference’s second-best road record at 24-15. Boston has gone 28-12 on the road. The Pistons are 25-15 at their new Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit but have just 13 road wins.
Toronto has won the last five meetings and eight of the last 10.
While Josh Gordon’s away, the Browns may launch Plan B with their wide receivers.
Dez Bryant is on their radar.
As they await clarity on Gordon’s cloudy situation, Cleveland general manager John Dorsey said Wednesday the team has discussed signing Bryant, the former Dallas star released by the Cowboys in April.
Gordon is missing the start of training camp as part of his treatment to battle drug and alcohol addictions, and the team does not known when – or if – the 27-year-old will be back.
Dorsey said he ”absolutely” expects Gordon to return in 2018.
”I’m going to respect Josh’s privacy and I will continue to say that and let him do what he has to do moving forward,” Dorsey said. ”Then, when he comes back Youth Geron Christian Jersey , we’ll embrace him, that’s how we’re going to do it.”
In the meantime, the Browns have interest in Bryant, a three-time Pro Bowler and one of the game’s top playmakers since 2010.
”He’s a very talented player,” Dorsey said. ”Have we had discussions about Dez Bryant? Yeah, that’s natural. You’re going to have discussions like that. Now, we’ll see what comes to fruition in the next couple days, but we’ve talked about it. You have to talk about these things.”
Especially given Gordon’s track record.
Despite his numerous missteps, the Browns are standing by the talented receiver. They believe Gordon has turned his life around and are counting on the former Pro Bowler, who has played just 10 games since 2013 due to numerous NFL drug violations, to help this season.
Dorsey doesn’t know when Gordon will return Redskins Cheap Jerseys , and the club changed his roster designation from the non-football illness list to ”did not report” so it would have roster flexibility.
”Josh is 100 percent committed to the Cleveland Browns,” Dorsey said. ”The Cleveland Browns are 100 percent committed to him. He’s had a great offseason. He’s had great training. So you know what, let’s just see what happens here. Let’s see what happens. All I care about is let’s respect his privacy. Let’s see him move forward.”
An NFL spokesman said earlier this week that Gordon has not been suspended again, and that there is no timetable on his return.
However, both Dorsey and coach Hue Jackson refused to answer whether they’ve received assurances from the league that Gordon is not facing further discipline.
On the eve of his third training camp, Jackson, who has not spoken with Gordon, wanted the focus on his available players.
”Obviously we’d like to have all of our players here. But at the same time we know things do come up,” he said. ”And I think as a staff we prepared for anything and everything. I think in my going on three years here I’ve seen it all. So I’m not surprised by anything that can happen. I think if we make it more than what it is.
”You’re talking about a young man that’s doing everything he can to put himself in the best position to be better in his life. And I think that’s great for Josh. At the same time we have a football team to get ready, and that’s what we’re going to do. All we can really worry about are the guys that are here and coach the guys that are here and get them better – -and when Josh is ready to return he’ll return.”
With Gordon’s status unclear, Dorsey said the team is considering Bryant Cheap Leighton Vander Esch Jersey , who is looking for a fresh start.
The 29-year-old developed into one of the league’s most physical receivers during eight seasons with Dallas. He had three seasons of more than 1,200 yards receiving and led the NFL with 16 touchdowns in 2014.
However, he came up short of living up to the five-year, $70 million contract he signed four years ago. Bryant battled an assortment of injuries before the Cowboys let him go to gain salary-cap space.
Bryant has had some off-field issues, though nothing to Gordon’s level, and his fiery temperament led to some well-publicized sideline rants. But with Cleveland’s receiving corps reduced by Gordon’s absence and a season-ending neck injury to Ricardo Louis, the Browns may be willing to overlook any baggage.
”I look at Dez as a very competitive, passionate person,” said Dorsey, who has known Bryant for years. ”That’s how I look at a Dez Bryant.”
NOTES: Rookie CB Denzel Ward signed his contract and reported in time for Thursday’s first practice. Ward was the last unsigned player in Cleveland’s rookie class. Top pick Baker Mayfield signed his $32 million deal Tuesday night. … Dorsey and Jackson reiterated they will not rush Mayfield and that Tyrod Taylor is the club’s starting quarterback.