In Game 3, Jalen Duren turned in another disappointing performance for the Pistons, yet once again, Detroit saw that the ideal replacement is already on the bench: Paul Reed. The team’s depth has been a strength all season, and Reed has ensured that advantage carries into the playoffs whenever Duren falls short. During Game 3, the Pistons were outscored by 14 points in Duren’s 29 minutes on the floor, but they outscored the opponent by 11 points during Reed’s 10 minutes.
Reed should absorb some of Duren’s playing time
Throughout the postseason, Reed has made a positive impact whenever he’s been on the court. He’s played well at both ends, particularly on defense, where his sharp timing and physicality stand out. Unfortunately, consistent minutes have been tough for Reed to come by in the playoffs.
Even when Reed clearly outperforms Duren, he’s often glued to the bench during the most critical moments of games. That was the case in Game 3, when Reed helped Detroit erase a 17-point deficit, only to be replaced by Duren in the final four minutes. If the Pistons hope to reach the conference finals, they may need to be more strategic about reading momentum when managing their center rotation.
Duren has occasionally looked rattled in the playoffs as opposing defenses key in on him and force turnovers, but Reed offers a reliable safety net with his veteran composure and relatively unfamiliar style of play. He provides a change of pace from Duren that other teams aren’t ready for. Reed’s unique skill set whether it’s his ball-handling and shooting on offense or his excellent rim protection on defense has often given Detroit an unexpected lift.
Duren could learn from Reed’s approach
A key factor in Reed’s success is his relentless effort at both ends of the floor. No matter the game’s outcome, Reed always competes hard and fits seamlessly into the team’s flow. His unselfish mentality helps create easier shots for shooters and smoother team offense.
When Duren has brought that same mindset, he’s still made a winning impact for the Pistons in the playoffs, even if he isn’t putting up the All-Star numbers he did in the regular season. But when Duren lacks physicality or tries to do too much offensively, he tends to make costly errors. In Game 3, Duren committed three big turnovers and managed just four points over many minutes of playing time.
If Duren turns in another game with the same low level of effort and production, the Pistons must turn to their secret weapon to fix their center problem. By giving Paul Reed more minutes, they can count on solid production regardless of how the rest of the team is playing.
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