Unheralded rookies lead the way as Detroit Pistons stomp Rockets in summer league, 87-73

The Detroit Pistons were unexpectedly without their fifth-overall pick Monday night. Their other rookies more than picked up the slack. 

Undrafted guard Daniss Jenkins and 37th overall pick Bobi Klintman both shined, leading the Pistons to an 87-73 summer league win over the Houston Rockets in Las Vegas. Jenkins led the way with 26 points, four assists and a pair of blocks, going 6-for-11 on his 3-point attempts. Klintman added 18 points and nine rebounds and made all four of his 3-pointers in the second half after a cold start. 

Jenkins and Klintman were part of a stout defense that held the Rockets to nine points in the final period, missing their first nine field goals. Marcus Sasser was also strong defensively and added 13 points. 

FIRST GAME:Forget Bobi Klintman's shooting for a moment: Passing may be the key for Detroit Pistons

Ron Holland missed the game due to rest, according to a team spokesman. NBA TV initially reported that the rookie is nursing a sore right thumb, which he had season-ending surgery on in February. The team says that they opted to sit him on the first half of a back-to-back (they play the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday).

Holland led the Pistons with 15 points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocks in his summer league debut against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. 

Jenkins finds his jumper

Even by summer league standards, the first quarter was a tough watch. The Pistons only made one of their 11 attempts from 3 but only trailed by three, 16-13, due to strong defense on the other end of the floor. 

Jenkins was a key part of the Pistons’ effort, tallying two blocks in the opening period. The second was a highlight, as he trailed a driving Reed Sheppard and blocked his layup attempt from behind. He only had five points at the end of the quarter, but found his touch soon after. 

The two-way guard got hot, scoring eight of their final 10 points including a pair of 3-pointers. He had 18 points at halftime, on 5-for-9 overall shooting and 4-for-7 shooting from 3. It carried over to the second half, as he knocked down another 3-pointer in the midst of a 12-0 Pistons run that extended their lead to seven midway through the third. 

Jenkins then iced the game late in the fourth with a deep 3-pointer, his last of the night, that gave the Pistons a 10-point lead with just over two minutes on the clock. He and Klintman put on a show, on both ends of the court, and sparked the Pistons to a double-digit win. 

Klintman takes over in 3rd quarter

The Pistons’ strong start on defense set the tone for the night, keeping them in the game early as shots clanged off the rim and stymying the Rockets in the second half as Jenkins and Klintman knocked down 3-pointer after 3-pointer. 

Klintman missed seven of his first eight shot attempts, including three 3-pointers, but was one of their best defenders as he tried to find a rhythm. He proceeded to score 13 points in the third as he settled in, knocking down his next three 3-pointers. He also grabbed nine rebounds. 

After dishing five assists and showcasing his shooting touch on Saturday, Klintman has followed with an even stronger effort. He thrives without the ball and has scored most of his points off of spot-up 3-pointers and cuts to the basket. Through two games, he’s been the Pistons’ top performer.

Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him @omarisankofa.