Let’s just say, the Pistons certainly got our attention. Outscoring the No.1 draft pick, Paolo Banchero, and the Orlando Magic by a score of 113-109 on opening night, the Pistons understood the assignment. 

The Pistons got the first win of the season under their belt. This was a game you did not want to miss — a team effort in all aspects.

Jaden Ivey got things going early, cutting to the basket efficiently and scoring the very first bucket off a no-look pass by Cade Cunningham.

Orlando started to find its rhythm, making some runs and seeming to find control, taking over the game early in the quarter. However, it was Pistons guard Cory Joseph who played his role well, knocking down a tough shot that put the Pistons back on the board after being down 14.

Joseph is gritty, and that can’t go unnoticed. It is special to see him and Bojan Bogdanovic back on the same team after playing on the Indiana Pacers together. 

The Pistons needed a jumpstart in the second quarter. Once the engine was started, it was Cunningham and Ivey with back-to-back buckets which propelled the team to an 18-4 run. Cunningham took the last shot of the quarter for the Pistons, with a nice turnaround fadeaway.

The arena was amped up. Although former University of Michigan player Franz Wagner had an answer to Cunningham’s shot, his 3-pointer wasn’t enough, and the Pistons ended the second quarter with a score of 57-55. 

Coming back from half, Pistons sniper Bogdanovic had the hot hand in the third quarter. His ability to just catch and shoot, putting the ball right into the net, is unmatched. 

Bogdanovic got the job done. He was unstoppable and led the team with the most points at 24, adding on five rebounds and two assists. The veteran is a huge asset to this Pistons team. 

There were some great things done by Killian Hayes as well, coming in the final minutes of the third quarter. He was aggressive and executed well, playing big down the stretch. 

The Pistons were all gas, no brakes by the fourth quarter. Jalen Duren was busy doing what he does best — dunking like it was nothing, and even getting a crucial bucket off the up-fake that put the Pistons up by two in the final four minutes of the fourth.

Duren is a beast, definitely contributing to the team’s success and ending the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds. To call his debut electric would be an understatement.

Ivey was impressive, too. He was hungry, with a big time and-one.

With 50 seconds left, the Pistons were up three and Banchero sped ahead, attacking, cutting it to one.

This really was a battle between the two teams, but such a good find by Cunningham to Stewart to knock down the corner 3-pointer that sealed the deal. Cunningham is a true point guard who sets his teammates up so well. 

The final score was 113-109. What a season opener. 

The amount of talent on this team is unreal. The Pistons really showed their young core and the foundation they are trying to build. They are a team of stars in the making, and they still have some unfinished business. 

They will take on Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks next, on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.