Maurice Cheeks has said that he was pleased to secure a win in the Detroit Pistons' first pre-season game of the year.

The team, who have not reached the playoffs since the 2008-09 season, beat Maccabi Haifa 91-69 yesterday.

The head coach told reporters: "We were just glad to be playing against somebody else, different place other than in the practice facility. For the most part, it went pretty good.

"I liked the commitment on the defense the way we were early on. We didn't sustain it. Maybe it was kind of tough with such a lopsided score but early on it was good. We just didn't sustain the way I would like.

"I think you get in trouble when you try to shoot with someone in your face but if you're shooting three-point shots like [Josh Smith] was doing tonight, rhythm shots and wide-open shots, I'm very comfortable with that."

Detroit face the Miami Heat tomorrow.