Paul Reed gave the Pistons a jolt in Game 3, and the numbers made the case in plain view. Detroit was outscored by 14 points in Jalen Duren's 29 minutes, but won Reed's 10 minutes by 11 points while clawing back from a 17-point hole.
That was not an accident. Reed has been a positive whenever he has touched the floor in the playoffs, and he has done it with solid play on both ends. His defense has stood out for its timing and toughness, while his offense has shown ball handling and shooting that fit cleanly into the flow of the team.
Detroit's depth has been an advantage all season long, and Reed has helped carry that into the playoffs when Duren has struggled. He has brought veteran poise and a relatively unscouted game, along with unrelenting effort that opens easier looks for shooters and keeps the offense efficient.
The tension for the Pistons is that Reed's impact has not guaranteed steady minutes. He has had trouble finding regular playing time in the playoffs, even after helping swing Game 3. Duren took Reed's spot in the final four minutes, a choice that underlined how much the center rotation still has to be managed by feel.
If Detroit wants to advance to the conference finals, it may need to be sharper about when momentum belongs to Reed and when it belongs to Duren. Game 3 suggested the margin between those answers can be the difference between a comfortable lead and a rescue act.
