Holland makes his largest impact on defense
Ron Holland finished with 14 points, five steals and two blocks as the Detroit Pistons beat the Phoenix Suns 109–107 in their preseason opener at Little Caesars Arena on October 5 US time, October 6 in the Philippines.
The forward, listed as Ronald Holland II in the NBA box score, played 23 minutes and 43 seconds off the bench. He led Detroit in scoring and steals, adding four rebounds during a game in which the Pistons recovered from an 18-point halftime deficit.
His defensive activity stood out more clearly than his shooting efficiency. Holland made four of 12 field-goal attempts, including one of four from three-point range, and converted five of eight free throws. The five steals and two blocks gave him ways to affect possessions even when shots were not falling.
Detroit registered 21 steals as a team. Holland accounted for nearly a quarter of that total, while Ausar Thompson contributed three steals and John Collins two. Those numbers helped explain how the Pistons stayed competitive despite Phoenix shooting 48.7 percent from the field to Detroit’s 44.3 percent.
Detroit trailed 68–50 at halftime but held Phoenix to 16 points in the third quarter. That period brought the teams level at 84–84 and set up the close finish.
Detroit’s comeback was finished by Ebuka Okorie’s late basket, but Holland supplied a larger sample of reserve minutes. His opening appearance offered concrete defensive production while leaving room to improve both shot selection and free-throw execution as preseason continues.