- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 398,396
- Reaction score
- 43
Coming into last weekend, it had been nearly a full month since Marcus Sasser last played meaningful minutes. His past two games, though, show a player igniting a hot streak.
With Cade Cunningham out with a left calf contusion on Sunday, the second-year guard delivered 18 points off of the bench on 6-for-9 shooting, including several daggers down the stretch to help the Detroit Pistons overcome a New Orleans Pelicans team that knocked down 20 3-pointers.
Two days later, with Cunningham still in street clothes, Sasser topped that performance with 27 points in a win over the San Antonio Spurs, as he hit nine of his 12 attempts, including five of seven 3-pointers.
The big games were Sasser's first with at least 25 minutes since Feb. 7 — another game that Cunningham sat for.
It can be difficult to sustain a shooting rhythm without consistent reps. It speaks to Sasser’s skills that he has managed to stay ready, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the Pistons' practice Thursday.
More: Detroit Pistons can officially turn the page on their losing chapter with meaningful win
“His professionalism is second to none,” Bickerstaff said. “There’s been games where I’ve waited until the fourth quarter to put him in, because I trust that no matter when he steps on the floor he’s going to impact the game in the ways that we need. Not only his scoring — which, he’s a scorer by nature — but he naturally has the ability to change the game with his defensive pressure. He can pick guys up in the backcourt, he makes energy plays. He likes to get after people, and he’s earned the trust of me and the team in his ability to do that.”
Sasser has improved his shooting touch from his rookie season, shooting 48.4% overall and 39.7% from 3 after hitting 42.8% and 37.5%, respectively, last season. His minutes have been inconsistent, though, especially since the team traded for veteran point guard Dennis Schröder at the deadline on Feb. 9. Regardless, he has stepped up when called upon.
Against the Spurs, he scored 17 of his 27 points in the second half, helping the Pistons withstand a 28-13 Spurs run that halved their lead. In the final period, he put an exclamation point on the win with a pair of 3-pointers and a driving layup during the final 2:32.
The 6-foot-2 guard, in less than two seasons, already has a nice reel of games in which he has lit up the scoreboard in short order. This season, that talent has filled a role for a Pistons team tested at guard depth following Jaden Ivey’s broken leg.
LOOKING AHEAD: Predicting Pistons final 10 games, playoff seed and first-round matchup
“Just consistency,” Sasser said after Tuesday’s win. “No matter what goes on during the game. Every day, working out, going hard, watching film, looking at different ways to get better. Continue to love the game of basketball, and when your opportunity comes, just stay prayed up and you’ll be ready for your opportunity."
“That’s what Sass does,” Bickerstaff said. “Sass has the ability to score the basketball. He’s a threat whenever the ball is in his hands, he has the ability to create space, he can make shots, he can drive to the basket, create fouls. He’s a scorer by nature. With Cade being down, there’s points out there to be had, and I thought he did a good job back-to-back nights going out there.”
Coming into the season, Sasser’s role on the team was unclear. With the ball in Cunningham and Ivey’s hands most of the time, he appeared in only four of the Pistons’ first 12 games. Injuries let him into the rotation, though, and he played 24-plus minutes for the first time while filling in for Tim Hardaway Jr. on Nov. 13
Sasser started 11 games as a rookie and made 71 total appearances. This season, he hasn’t started once; if he plays every game the rest of the way, he'll top out at 70 appearances. Few players on the roster have sacrificed as much with the addition of a new coaching staff and better backcourt depth, but he has found ways to make an impact when his opportunity has come.
“He’s a true professional, an awesome person,” Bickerstaff said. “He could’ve allowed this to change his attitude and how he approaches every day, but he never has. He shows up every day with the same attitude, the same presence and a willingness to want to help this team.”
Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.
Follow the Detroit Free Press on Instagram (@detroitfreepress), TikTok (@detroitfreepress), YouTube (@DetroitFreePress), X (@freep), and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook (@detroitfreepress).
Matchup: Pistons (41-32) vs. Cleveland (58-14 entering Thursday).
Tipoff: 7 p.m. Friday; Little Caesars Arena, Detroit.
TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Extra; WWJ-AM (950).
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons G Marcus Sasser a pure pro when needed most
Continue reading...
With Cade Cunningham out with a left calf contusion on Sunday, the second-year guard delivered 18 points off of the bench on 6-for-9 shooting, including several daggers down the stretch to help the Detroit Pistons overcome a New Orleans Pelicans team that knocked down 20 3-pointers.
Two days later, with Cunningham still in street clothes, Sasser topped that performance with 27 points in a win over the San Antonio Spurs, as he hit nine of his 12 attempts, including five of seven 3-pointers.
The big games were Sasser's first with at least 25 minutes since Feb. 7 — another game that Cunningham sat for.
It can be difficult to sustain a shooting rhythm without consistent reps. It speaks to Sasser’s skills that he has managed to stay ready, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the Pistons' practice Thursday.
You must be registered for see images
More: Detroit Pistons can officially turn the page on their losing chapter with meaningful win
“His professionalism is second to none,” Bickerstaff said. “There’s been games where I’ve waited until the fourth quarter to put him in, because I trust that no matter when he steps on the floor he’s going to impact the game in the ways that we need. Not only his scoring — which, he’s a scorer by nature — but he naturally has the ability to change the game with his defensive pressure. He can pick guys up in the backcourt, he makes energy plays. He likes to get after people, and he’s earned the trust of me and the team in his ability to do that.”
Sasser has improved his shooting touch from his rookie season, shooting 48.4% overall and 39.7% from 3 after hitting 42.8% and 37.5%, respectively, last season. His minutes have been inconsistent, though, especially since the team traded for veteran point guard Dennis Schröder at the deadline on Feb. 9. Regardless, he has stepped up when called upon.
Against the Spurs, he scored 17 of his 27 points in the second half, helping the Pistons withstand a 28-13 Spurs run that halved their lead. In the final period, he put an exclamation point on the win with a pair of 3-pointers and a driving layup during the final 2:32.
The 6-foot-2 guard, in less than two seasons, already has a nice reel of games in which he has lit up the scoreboard in short order. This season, that talent has filled a role for a Pistons team tested at guard depth following Jaden Ivey’s broken leg.
You must be registered for see images attach
LOOKING AHEAD: Predicting Pistons final 10 games, playoff seed and first-round matchup
“Just consistency,” Sasser said after Tuesday’s win. “No matter what goes on during the game. Every day, working out, going hard, watching film, looking at different ways to get better. Continue to love the game of basketball, and when your opportunity comes, just stay prayed up and you’ll be ready for your opportunity."
“That’s what Sass does,” Bickerstaff said. “Sass has the ability to score the basketball. He’s a threat whenever the ball is in his hands, he has the ability to create space, he can make shots, he can drive to the basket, create fouls. He’s a scorer by nature. With Cade being down, there’s points out there to be had, and I thought he did a good job back-to-back nights going out there.”
Coming into the season, Sasser’s role on the team was unclear. With the ball in Cunningham and Ivey’s hands most of the time, he appeared in only four of the Pistons’ first 12 games. Injuries let him into the rotation, though, and he played 24-plus minutes for the first time while filling in for Tim Hardaway Jr. on Nov. 13
Sasser started 11 games as a rookie and made 71 total appearances. This season, he hasn’t started once; if he plays every game the rest of the way, he'll top out at 70 appearances. Few players on the roster have sacrificed as much with the addition of a new coaching staff and better backcourt depth, but he has found ways to make an impact when his opportunity has come.
“He’s a true professional, an awesome person,” Bickerstaff said. “He could’ve allowed this to change his attitude and how he approaches every day, but he never has. He shows up every day with the same attitude, the same presence and a willingness to want to help this team.”
Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.
Follow the Detroit Free Press on Instagram (@detroitfreepress), TikTok (@detroitfreepress), YouTube (@DetroitFreePress), X (@freep), and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook (@detroitfreepress).
Next up: Cavaliers
Matchup: Pistons (41-32) vs. Cleveland (58-14 entering Thursday).
Tipoff: 7 p.m. Friday; Little Caesars Arena, Detroit.
TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Extra; WWJ-AM (950).
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons G Marcus Sasser a pure pro when needed most
Continue reading...
