Pistons disappoint in Jackson's long-awaited debut
The Detroit Pistons finally got their starting point guard back Sunday, then proceeded to turn in one of their most disappointing efforts of the season.
After sitting the first quarter of the year with a left knee injury that required PRP therapy, Reggie Jackson returned to the Pistons' lineup with 18 points and four assists on 7-of-12 shooting in 23 minutes of action.
That's where the good news ends for Detroit.
The Pistons allowed the anemic, 30th-ranked Magic offense to score 98 points on 92 possessions and 53 percent shooting, en route to a 98-92 Orlando victory that dropped the Pistons back to .500.
That the Pistons managed to win 11 of 21 games while Jackson was sidelined - against one of the league's toughest schedules - was no small victory for a team looking to continue their climb up the Eastern Conference pecking order. One bad loss (they were favored by 7.5 points) doesn't change that.
But considering their upcoming schedule - which sees Detroit host Chicago on Tuesday, then play five of seven on the road (where they're 4-8) before coming home to play Memphis, Golden State, and Cleveland - taking care of the lowly Magic would have been a nice way to welcome Jackson back.
Instead, the Pistons lost for the third time in their last five home games after a 5-0 start at The Palace.