Pistons fall to Suns in preseason game at the Breslin Center

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – The Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns gave MSU students and Lansing-area fans a chance to see NBA basketball without having to make a long drive on Tuesday night.

The Suns and Pistons played a preseason game at the Breslin Center on Michigan State’s campus.

14,901 fans came out to watch as the Suns defeated the Pistons 105-97.

Phoenix led 84-66 after three quarters and the Pistons made a late run to make the final score closer.

Kevin Durant led the way for the Suns with 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting. Jalen Duren led the Pistons with 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting.

Pistons owner Tom Gores and Suns owner Matt Ishbia both attended Michigan State University and came together to bring this preseason game to their old campus.

“It is always fun for our guys to play in front of a rowdy crowd,” said Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff. “I thought the crowd was awesome tonight and both sides of fans really seemed to enjoy the game. It was a high-level game and whenever you are playing in that type of atmosphere it raises your energy a bit. It sort of sparks you and I think it did just that for both teams tonight.”

“It felt like a Big Ten matchup tonight with the atmosphere,” added Pistons point guard Jaden Ivey, who had played at the Breslin Center twice during his college career at Purdue. “It’s crazy, I played twice here in my college career and only won once here. It’s a tough place to play. It was great to be back in the Big Ten. Tonight, it was kind of rowdy. They had the Suns shirts on, it was kind of rowdy, but that is what you expect in the Big Ten atmosphere. “

The Pistons open the regular season Oct. 23 against the Indiana Pacers.

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