Reggie Jackson envisioned a much different scenario unfolding when he was sent to the Detroit Pistons in a deadline deal to be their starting point guard.
He's shouldering much of the blame for Detroit's 10-game losing streak, a skid he'll try to help snap Tuesday night against a visiting Memphis Grizzlies team that is looking to win an 11th straight meeting (7 p.m. pregame, 7:30 tip-off on FOX Sports Detroit).
Jackson requested a trade out of Oklahoma City in order to have a bigger role, and at times he's felt a bit overwhelmed. The Pistons (23-43) beat Washington in their first game with Jackson at the point Feb. 22, but they've lost every game since.
He shot 43.2 percent in 50 games - 13 starts - with the Thunder while averaging 12.8 points, but has hit just 37.1 percent from the field with Detroit despite increasing his scoring to 14.3.
"The point guard position is measured by wins and losses," Jackson told the team's official website. "We're 1-10 since I've been starting.
"I think I've been overthinking myself at times. I'll just continue to find my teammates. All great shooters. Just got to move on to the next shot. I don't care if they miss 20 in a row, I'm going to keep coming back to them."
Most of his teammates haven't been any better lately. The Pistons are shooting 25.0 percent from 3-point range in seven games this month after hitting 8 of 23 in Saturday's 88-85 loss to Utah.
"I don't know that we're getting down in the paint and sucking defenses in enough," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "And we're not shooting the ball real well, so I think some of the guys are a little slower on the trigger. Shooting has definitely been a major concern."
Van Gundy got better news regarding his squad's health. Andre Drummond, who averaged 17.3 points and 21.7 rebounds over his previous three, suffered a concussion early on against the Jazz and didn't practice Monday.
He's expected to play in this contest, as is former Memphis forward Tayshaun Prince, who has been dealing with a hip pointer. Detroit likely will need all the help it can get against Southwest Division-leading Memphis (47-20), which hasn't lost to the Pistons since Oct. 28, 2009.
Zach Randolph is averaging 18.9 points and 13.4 boards in his last eight against Detroit after finishing with 17 and 22 in the Grizzlies' 95-88 home win Nov. 15. Mike Conley had 18 points in that contest, but it's unclear if he'll sit out a fourth straight game due to right ankle sprain.
Randolph had 21 points and 16 rebounds Monday as Memphis won its second in a row, 92-81 over Denver. The Grizzlies, though, committed 20 turnovers and are averaging 19.8 over their last four, 6.8 more than their average entering that stretch.
Memphis appeared frustrated with each other at times on the court.
"It's disappointing, but it'll be handled in house," coach Dave Joerger said. "We're making some mistakes that are some real head-scratchers."
Tony Allen had four turnovers against the Nuggets, but he also played solid defense and contributed 14 points and nine rebounds.
"Any win's a good win. They don't ask how, they ask how many at the end of the year," Joerger said. "Onto Detroit."
The Grizzlies have dropped three of four on the road, but they've won the last six at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
