The Detroit Pistons 122-119 buzzer beating win over the Golden State Warriors was a thriller. This game provided a clear glimpse at Troy Weaver’s vision. Despite the overall record, injuries, any coaching inconsistencies, or youthful inexperience, they put it all together against the defending NBA Champions.

With one second left, both teams tied at 119, Saddiq Bey snaked around several screens and took an off balance three. It seemed to take forever waiting for the outcome of the shot that swished through the nets, as Bey went crashing to the floor.

GAME OVER! PISTONS WIN!! And the entire team rushed after Bey as they celebrated the road victory at like three in the morning. (Not quite, but wow these west coast road trips hit different…)

Saddiq Bey game winner to sink the Warriors was a thing of beauty. #Pistons pic.twitter.com/dwJ5w0xdoV

— Woodward Pistons (@WoodwardPistons) January 5, 2023

Subscribe to Woodward Pistons on Apple Podcasts|Spotify|Spreaker

Subscribe to Woodward Pistons on YouTube

It was good to see Bey get up in pure exuberance. He yelled into the air with a look that told you he knew, “I am him”. At least for this night as he hit two big threes in the 1:30 of the game including the buzzer beater. He contributed 17 points while shooting 40% from three following a positive trend over the last 15 games. Bey is shooting 40.5% on 5.6 three point attempts per game, signaling he may have moved beyond his typical season beginning slow shooting start.

Killian Hayes returned to action since a three game suspension for his role in a scrum against the Orlando Magic. He directed traffic to the tune of 13 assist and chipped in nine points. The most important thing, Hayes played aggressively confident all game.

Hayes has been developing a budding pick and roll connection with Jalen Duren. The rookie big man has been impressive since being moved into the starting lineup. His 32 minutes against the Warriors were no different. Duren went 8-8 on the night to score an 18 point, eleven rebound double-double.

Team Win

This game should be considered a master prototype from an offensive rotation standpoint. The defense has been a work in progress this season. But the team showed good offensive balance and potential against the Warriors. You have to imagine this looked closer to the vision coach Dwane Casey and GM Troy Weaver have for this team.

The Pistons got balanced scoring from the entire roster including an efficient 29 points for Bojan Bogdanovic. He only missed 1 three point attempt out of 6, and hit ten of fifteen field goals for the game. While Alec Burks scored 15 points and provided another veteran scoring presence down the stretch. It also showed he and Bey are figuring out how to share the ball off the bench.

Despite the defense needing to improve overall, the team played with high energy all game. That helped the Pistons lead the steals battle 9 to 1, in a game that also got a little chippy. Former Michigan State University Spartan Draymond Green, and Isaiah Stewart had small tussle. It didn’t amount too much discourse between the two teams, but it showed the Pistons aren’t backing down physically.

Which looks even better in a win.