Rookie Duo Can't Rescue Pistons But Show Bright Future

The Pistons took a peek into the future and liked what they saw.

They just didn't like the final result, which was a 104-96 loss Friday night to the Los Angeles Clippers (7-10) at The Palace.

You can't fault rookies Jonas Jerebko and Austin Daye, who took advantage of another Pistons injury to show they can be important cogs in the future. They brought energy and surprising scoring to a lineup badly in need of scoring punch without leading scorer Ben Gordon, who missed the game with a left ankle sprain. He joined Rip Hamilton (ankle) and Tayshaun Prince (ruptured disc) on the sideline.

The trio represents 63 percent of the Pistons offense, 58 points a game.

The Pistons wanted to win it with defense but the Clippers had too much energy and surprising execution down the stretch. They shot 59 percent and overcame a seven-point halftime deficit to win going away.

Now the Pistons (5-11) must regroup for Sunday's 1 p.m. home game against the Atlanta Hawks.

The hero this night was Jerebko (22 points, five rebounds) who kept the Pistons in the game with old school back door plays and 3-point baskets. He was a bundle of energy and not only filled the basket with jumpers but swept the floor with hustle plays. He might have been even more effective if not for getting into foul trouble, which caused him to be more cautious on defense. He fouled out during the final minute.

Jerebko and Daye (13 points, five rebounds) became the first rookies to start together for the Pistons since Allan Houston and Lindsey Hunter started on April 24, 1994, after Isiah Thomas (ruptured tendon) missed the final regular season game during a dismal 20-62 season. Thomas retired at the end of the season and the Pistons brought in another rookie -- Grant Hill -- who turned into an All-Star before leaving the team for Orlando.

Rodney Stuckey chipped in 21 points and seven assists and Ben Wallace five points and 16 rebounds. However, the Pistons shot just 41 percent.

Both Daye and Jerebko had their moments, but it was Jerebko who became a go-to guy during two important stretches. The Pistons trailed 39-38 late in the second quarter when Jerebko went to work. He hit a hook shot, layup and 3-point shot to propel the Pistons to a 54-47 halftime lead.

In the fourth he rallied the Pistons to an 87-86 lead on two back-door cuts and a 3-point basket.

Daye was steady throughout and finished with 13 points and five rebounds.

During one stretch the Pistons fielded one of the tallest lineups in the NBA, even though the 6-foot Will Bynum led the unit at point guard. He was surrounded by 6-9 Wallace, 6-10 Jerebko and 6-11 forwards Charlie Villanueva and Daye.

Piston Boris wrote:The Pistons took a peek into the future and liked what they saw.