Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic, 116-109, in Game 5 of the NBA playoffs on Wednesday at LCA.
Tobias Harris had 23 points and eight rebounds in Pistons’ 116-109 win over Magic in Game 5.
Orlando, Fla. — Ron Holland II sat on the sideline with his face in the palm of his hand. It took place during a dead-ball period of the Detroit Pistons’ Game 5 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. Pistons assistant coach Jarrett Jack tapped Holland on his left knee to tell him something. Holland looked at him with a smile. The two shared a quick laugh before going back to the game.
The moment Holland shared with Jack was the only bit of action he received during the Pistons’ Game 5 victory. In fact, it was the most in-game action Holland has received over the last three games of the first-round series, given that he has recorded three consecutive DNPs.
“I am not going to sit here and act like it is not tough for me to be out there — I want to be out there helping my team,” Holland told The Detroit News. “The playoffs are super intense. I know at the drop of a dime anything can happen, and I have to stay ready. … I can’t sit here and pout. That’s not going to help anyone.”
During the Pistons’ first-round series against the Magic, Holland has seen a major decline in his minutes. He has only played a combined 51 minutes between Games 1 and 2.
The lack of playing time Holland has experienced during the playoffs has been a 180 from the vital role he held during the regular season. As one of the primary members of the “Bench Mob,” Holland played 78 regular-season games and averaged 19.9 minutes per game.
The improvements Holland made in his second season led to him averaging 8.2 points per game, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals. He recorded a total of 92 steals during the regular season, one of four Pistons players to rank in the top 30 in total steals around the league — joining Ausar Thompson (146), Javonte Green (102) and Cade Cunningham (92).
It appeared that Holland would remain a central figure in coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s rotation when the playoffs started. But Holland’s lack of playing time has become another reminder of the difficulties coaches face when it comes to shortening their postseason rotation.
“It’s tough. You have to make some tough decisions. I know what Ron and Paul (Reed) have done for us throughout the season, but it does become a numbers game,” Bickerstaff said. “You cannot play 12 guys in the playoffs and expect them to find a rhythm and find their way. But … all those guys have to continue to be ready like they have been all season.”
Holland has had no conversation about his playoff minutes, but his lack of playing time has not been a surprise. He had the same experience during his rookie year. After establishing a role in Bickerstaff’s regular-season rotation (15.6 MPG), he averaged 5.5 minutes during Detroit’s six-game series against the New York Knicks last season.
Although disappointed, Holland refuses to complain about his situation. He has been staying in the gym, working to hone his skills and proving that he will maintain his stay-ready attitude whenever Bickerstaff calls upon his name. He has used each DNP as a learning curve. Holland hopes each lesson he has learned throughout the first-round series against the Magic will be beneficial for his ongoing development.
“Every possession is really important, especially in the playoffs. In the regular season, you can get away with certain things, but the amount of attention that goes into each possession is super important,” Holland said. “That’s one of the top things I’ve learned throughout the playoffs.”
Not having the chance to contribute to the Pistons’ first-round series has been difficult. However, Holland assures he will remain the same “energetic” two-way player who has become a key piece in the Pistons’ revival since his arrival in Detroit in June 2024.
NBA Playoffs, first round: No. 8 Magic vs. No. 1 Pistons
Magic lead series, 3-2
Game 1: Magic 112, Pistons 101
Game 2: Pistons 97, Magic 83
Game 3: Magic 113, Pistons 105
Game 4: Magic 94, Pistons 88
Game 5: Pistons 116, Magic 109
Game 6: at Orlando, 7 p.m. Friday, Kia Center (Amazon Prime)
x-Game 7: at Detroit, Sunday, May 3 TBD (TBD)
x-If necessary
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Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic, 116-109, in Game 5 of the NBA playoffs at LCA.
Cade Cunningham scored 45 points in the Pistons’ 116-109 win over the Magic in Game 5.
