Detroit Pistons coach Dwane Casey speaks to the media after the overtime win over the Rockets on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, at Little Caesars Arena.
Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press
Blake Griffin inbounded the ball to Reggie Jackson.
With the outcome no longer in doubt, Jackson gathered the pass and let the final seconds tick away in the 116-111 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets.
Griffin walked over to Jackson and gave the Detroit Pistons point guard a heartfelt embrace.
As Griffin whispered words of encouragement to Jackson, center Andre Drummond walked over to join the two men.
Drummond placed his left hand atop Griffin’s right hand, which was resting on the back of Jackson’s head.
Both men kept talking to Jackson, with Griffin appearing to say, “That’s what you (expletive) do!”
Just like during the 2015-16 Pistons playoff season, Jackson put on his cape to rescue his team. He scored 19 of 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime at a rocking Little Caesars Arena on Friday night.
Doing most of his damage against Rockets star James Harden, Jackson got into the paint and forced fouls.
He got to the free-throw line 14 times, making 12.
It was a rare sight this season with Griffin and Drummond carrying the Pistons to a 9-7 record, which was good for fifth in the Eastern Conference at the time of this writing.
Jackson has struggled mostly as he tried to find his way in first-year coach Dwane Casey’s system, a way of playing that impacts Jackson the most on the roster because he's often forced to play off the ball.
But for the Pistons to earn the stated goal of home-court advantage for a playoff series, Jackson must join Griffin and Drummond to form their own Big 3.
Griffin knew Jackson played well, but was surprised to hear the points total.
“I told him after the game was over that’s the sign of somebody who trusts the system, is patient and believes in their game,” Griffin said in the locker room.
“All ballgame long I was telling him to keep going, keep going. I’m here to help because sometimes you can see it on people’s faces. I think he was frustrated. I think he felt like he should be playing better, but with him on the floor, he’s a threat. That’s a sign of perseverance right there.”
Jackson added six assists and had one turnover in 33 minutes.
The night was reminiscent of Jackson under former Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy.
The ball was frequently in Jackson’s hands with Van Gundy’s heavy reliance on screen-and-rolls.
In 2015-16, Jackson had a usage rate of 29.7 percent.
But Casey features Griffin, who was acquired in January. Griffin leads the league in touches per game with 92.1. He has a 29.4 usage rate.
Jackson’s usage rate under Casey is 24.4. And Jackson has struggled, shooting 38 percent from the field and 31 percent from 3-point range.
Casey also thinks Jackson is getting closer to game shape.
He reminded reporters that Jackson rehabbed a left ankle sprain during the offseason and only returned to the playing floor for training camp.
“Right now, I think he's just getting back to some level of conditioning,” Casey said. “When you sit out with that type of injury, it's tough to just get going. ... I still don't think he's back to 100 percent.”
Jackson showed burst and explosion on a one-handed dunk in Wednesday night's loss in Houston.
Griffin is doing his part. He scored 28 points and hit a 3-pointer in regulation that was almost the winner on Friday.
Griffin is 10th in the NBA in scoring at 25.3 points per game. He leads the team in 3-point shooting at 40 percent. If he continues this play for the season, he could receive MVP votes.
Drummond scored 23 points and grabbed 20 rebounds — his sixth 20-20 game of the season. He added five blocks and three steals as he is the anchor of a top-10 defense. He’s well on way to a third All-Star Game appearance.
No one expects Jackson to perform at an All-Star level.
But it would be nice if a consistent Jackson could join the Pistons’ early season party.
Follow Vince Ellis on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.