News Pistons Team Notes

[Detroit Pistons]

3-Man Fastbreak: Full(er) strength

The Detroit Pistons have matched a franchise record with thirteen straight victories, tying the 2003–04 and 1989–90 teams — both of whom… well, you know what happened.

What started as a fun early-season story has now become something bigger. For this fanbase, it’s felt like the beginning of something special — a young group blossoming together and playing the hard-nosed, connected basketball that fans in this city have long associated with winning.

There will be plenty of questions to sort out as the trade deadline approaches, but for now, Detroit is enjoying the ride.

1. Welcome to the party, Mr. Ivey​

For Jaden Ivey, the last year could not have been easy. After the best stretch of his young career, he was forced to watch from the sidelines for eleven months as the Pistons evolved into the contender they’ve become. Now, fully healthy, the question becomes whether he can be the ceiling-raiser Detroit needs to reach its ultimate goals.

The Pistons were understandably cautious about bringing the fourth-year guard back after arthroscopic knee surgery, given how well the team played in his absence. But with Ivey finally at full strength, we can begin to see the real picture — both of his individual potential and the chemistry he can build with Cade Cunningham.

In his first two games back, facing the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers, Ivey has looked calm, patient, and deliberate. He’s letting the game come to him while still flashing the explosive traits that make him such a weapon. In just 27 minutes of action, he’s put up 22 points on 56% shooting from the field.

2. Sorting out minutes​

With most injured players now returning, the next big question becomes: what does the everyday rotation look like moving forward?

After just two games with Ivey and Tobias Harris back, it’s still too early to draw firm conclusions. But the minutes have shifted — and not subtly. Dennis Jenkins, Paul Reed, and Ron Holland II have all seen their playing time shrink substantially, which is unfortunate for them individually but an undeniable luxury for the team. Having high-energy, rotation-caliber players waiting in reserve is something good teams enjoy and great teams depend on.

Ivey’s minutes are being eased upward, but it feels inevitable that he’ll rejoin the starting lineup soon. That move would create a more diverse, dynamic bench unit — with Duncan Robinson/Caris LeVert providing spacing and Holland/Stewart anchoring the defense. And with the constant churn of matchups and injuries in an 82-game season, expect JB Bickerstaff to continue mixing and matching on a nightly basis.

3. What are the weak points thus far?​

Detroit’s defensive profile is no fluke. They rank near the top of the league in multiple categories, including being the only team in the top five in both steals and blocks. They currently sit fourth in defensive efficiency. Everything about the way they defend appears sustainable — built on culture and relentless physicality.

Offensively, the clearest weak spot is shooting. The Pistons don’t take many threes — they’re 26th in attempts — but it hasn’t halted their momentum. They compensate by shooting a high overall percentage (6th in the NBA) and by dominating the paint, where they lead the league in scoring.

Another area they rank near the top (or bottom?) in is fouls per game, where they commit the fifth most in the league. So it feels like even the teams’ weak points still plays into their identity, which shows their commitment to playing a certain style. And that style can be dangerous in the playoffs.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detroit-pistons-analysis/48396/3-man-fastbreak-fuller-strength

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Celtics Discussion: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

The Detroit Pistons are vying for history today as they face the Boston Celtics. A win today gives the Pistons the longest winning streak in team history at 14 games. It is also an NBA Cup game, for those who care for such things. The Pistons are 2-0 in Cup games, same record as the 2-0 Orlando Magic, though Detroit has the edge in point differential.

The Pistons will be facing a Celtics team with a size deficit at the center position that the Pistons will need to exploit. Starter Neemias Queeta is expected to miss the game, meaning Boston will be relying on a mix of former Piston Luka Garza, Chris Boucher, and Xavier Tillman. One plus for the Celtics is they are starting to figure out how to be successful in a world without Jayson Tatum. They have won four of their past five games and the offense is starting to jell.

Game Vitals​

When: 5 p.m. ET
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Watch: ESPN
Odds: Pistons -2.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (15-2)​

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Boston Celtics (9-8)​

Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jordan Walsh, Chris Boucher

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...celtics-discussion-game-time-tv-odds-and-more

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Submit your questions for The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast

Send in your questions now for this week’s episode of The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast to discuss everything Pistons free agency. Submit your question to the comments section here or on X/Twitter to @TheRealWesD3 and/or @blakesilverman.

Join us live on Saturday afternoon for the show where we’ll discuss the Pistons’ week of games. What are your main takeaways following the NBA Cup group stage? What has stood out most over the first quarter of the season? How has Jaden Ivey looked in his return and will Jalen Duren receive an All-Star nod this season?

Plus, The Pindown has a phone line where you can leave a message and hear your voice on the show. Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message around 45 seconds or less so we can fit everyone into the show.

The podcast will be uploaded to all audio platforms the following morning.

The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast Vitals:​

When: Saturday November 29 at 12 p.m. ET

Where: Detroit Bad Boys YouTube Channel

How to submit questions:

• Detroit Bad Boys Website: Comment section of the weekly Pindown episode articles.
• Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message to 45 seconds or less.
• Twitter: @detroitbadboys, @blakesilverman or @therealwesd3
• YouTube: Chat section of The Pindown live recording — Subscribe here

As always, leave any questions or topics you want to be discussed in the comment section below.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...ons-for-the-pindown-a-detroit-pistons-podcast

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Celtics preview: Franchise-record winning streak on the line

If I told you the Pistons would be one win away from their franchise record winning streak before the season started, you would think I was crazy. However, that is the reality of the 2025-2026 Detroit Pistons, far and away the story of the season.

The Pistons have won 13 games in a row, which they have done three times in their franchise history, with two of those times ending in them hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

The Pistons also have the added incentive of this being a qualifying game for the NBA Cup, which they have a chance to win their group by winning tonight and beating the Orlando Magic on Friday. Both of these things can also incentivize the Boston Celtics in the same ways, as they can play spoiler for the NBA Cup group and end the longest winning streak in the NBA.

The Celtics are not their usual selves this season as they go through a bit of a transition to set themselves up when Jayson Tatum returns, but they still have talented players and play hard and have every possible motivation they could want in this game.

Game Vitals​

Where: TD Garden in Boston, MA
When: Wednesday, November 26 at 5 pm EST
Watch: ESPN
Odds: Pistons (-2.5)

Analysis​

The last time these two teams faced off was for the Pistons Home Opener, a hard-fought game where the Pistons came out on top after having to inch their way back in the game after a slow start. The early-season trend for the Pistons was very slow starts resulting in having to play perfect basketball over the final three quarters in order to win.

Now, that is no longer the case as the Pistons have been dominant during their 13-game winning streak. They have had some close calls like an overtime win against the Washington Wizards and Monday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, but even the best teams are going to have off nights. Say what you want about the Pistons early-season schedule, but they are beating the teams they are supposed to beat, which is the recipe for a good team.

That opening night victory by the Pistons moved the Celtics to 0-3 on the season, but they are 9-5 since that game and enter this contest with a 9-8 record. I would say it is right around where people expected the Celtics to be after trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis and losing Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles in the playoffs.

The Celtics are led by Jaylen Brown, who has managed to step up as their go-to scorer in the absence of Tatum, but more importantly, still maintain pretty solid efficiency, as he is shooting 51% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc.

Derrick White has taken on additional offensive responsibilities as well, but has struggled a bit to keep up his level of efficiency that made him such an invaluable role player during their Championship season. He is still a very good defender and will likely draw the Cade Cunningham assignment along with the slew of defensive-focused wings the Celtics have to throw at him like Hugo Gonzalez and Josh Minott. That crew was basically full court pressing Cade the whole game on opening night and it took a while for him to get going as a result.

Like a lot of teams in the Eastern Conference right now, the Celtics are actually on a bit of a hot streak as they have won four of their last five games with their only loss being a shocking NBA Cup loss to the Brooklyn Nets last week. They obviously are not as hot as the Pistons, but they have definitely found their stride a bit so this is not the same team the Pistons faced during the Home Opener.

The Celtics are likely without starting center Neemias Queta, which means this could be a favorable matchup for Jalen Duren going up against the slender Chris Boucher and the slow footed Luka Garza. He will have to watch for both players on the perimeter though.

The Pistons have opted for a 12 man rotation the last couple of games and while it worked against the Bucks on Saturday, on Monday against the Pacers, the Pistons narrowly avoided a shocking loss after the Pacers overcame a 20-point deficit in the 2nd half. There was a lot of tough shot-making by the Pacers down the stretch, but I can’t help but wonder if trying to force minutes for 12 guys affects their ability to get momentum going.

There are advantages to using 12 players in regular season games against a short-handed Milwaukee team or the struggling Pacers, as it allows you to give some rest to your most important players during a long season. However, in a meaningful game like this one against a pretty good Celtics team, the Pistons may need to look to shorten their rotation. It might be a little tough given that Jaden Ivey is on a minutes restriction, but the Pistons should be using Daniss Jenkins to cover those minutes and only Jenkins.

Jenkins only played 8 minutes against the Pacers despite being his usual efficient self. It just goes to show how difficult it is to balance minutes and give minutes to the right players while playing a 12-man rotation.

JB Bickerstaff has given no indication that he will be cutting back the rotation, so I would expect more of the same, but if the Pistons are in a similar position as they were against the Pacers on Monday, the current version of the Celtics is much better equipped to take advantage of it and steal a win.

Let’s hope the Pistons come out engaged and ready to show why they are on a 13 game winning streak. A win this evening will put the 2025-2026 Detroit Pistons all alone on the franchise-record winning streak list. It will also setup a showdown with the Orlando Magic to win East Group B in the NBA Cup.

Lineups​

Boston Celtics (9-8): Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jordan Walsh, Chris Boucher

Detroit Pistons (15-2): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Question of the Day​

Do you care about the NBA Cup or is it more of a novelty idea by the NBA that has no affect on your viewing experience?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...w-franchise-record-winning-streak-on-the-line

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Magic preview: Detroit looks to advance in NBA Cup

The Detroit Pistons are finally good enough where I am forced to understand the rules of the NBA Emirates Cup. In previous years, Detroit has lost cup games and been out of “contention” early in the process. Tonight, they play the Orlando Magic, and the winner takes East Group B. Can you feel the excitement?

The Pistons will be looking to rebound after a hard-fought but unsuccessful attempt to keep their 13-game winning streak going against the Boston Celtics. In a largely back-and-forth game, Detroit fell 117-114. The Pistons had a chance to tie it when Cade Cunningham went to the line for three free throws, and Detroit was down three, but one fell short.

If the Pistons beat the Magic, both teams will be 3-1 in cup play, and Detroit will move on thanks to the advantage in point differential. If they advance, they go to the knockout stage. What is the knockout stage? It is an eight-team tournament consisting of each group winner and a wildcard team from each conference. The quarterfinals of the knockout round are considered regular-season games, with the team having the better record hosting. The semifinals and finals will be played in Las Vegas, with the semifinals also counting as a regular-season game, but the championship cup game will not count toward standings or stats.

It’s all terribly complicated isn’t it?

Game Vitals​

When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -3.5

Analysis​

After scuffling early in the season, the Magic have won 10 of its past 14 games, and have a better net rating than the Pistons in that span. The good news for the Pistons is that Orlando did not become a great team by becoming prolific from behind the arc. After getting torched by the Celtics from deep, that efels like welcome relief.

Instead, they do things the same way Detroit does, behind a bruising and energetic defense. The also bring that bruising mentality to the offensive side of the floor. Tonight’s game features the first and second ranked team in free-throw attempts per game over the last 14 games. For the season, both teams also rank top 5 in points in the paint, top 10 in fastbreak points, and in defensive rebounding.

This is going to be a rock fight and both teams are going to be looking to do a lot of damage with ball movement and creating cracks in the defense that allow them to get to the rim. Few teams shoot more in the restricted area than the Magic and the Pistons.

The injury report continues to look good for the Pistons, which is amazing after missing so many players for so much of the early season. Jaden Ivey might sit as part of his conditioning as he ramps up into everyday game shape, and Bobi Klintman and Marcus Sasser remain out. The Magic will be without Paolo Banchero who is dealing with a groin strain.

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (15-3)​

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Orlando Magic (11-8)​

Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Tristan da Silva, Wendell Carter

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...c-preview-detroit-looks-to-advance-in-nba-cup

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Magic Discussion: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

Intellectually, I understand that the Detroit Pistons are not a solid 3-point shooting team. But when you see a good 3-point shooting team, it becomes all the more real. The Boston Celtics ended Detroit’s 13-game winning streak with 3-pointers. Detroit scored 33 points off of threes and the Celtics scored 60 points off threes. The margin of victory was … three.

Being able to shoot threes is just an incredible boost to your margin of error. The Pistons won all those games because their defense made up for their lack of shooting. That is never a guarantee, though, and tonight they face, while not a great 3-point shooting team in the Orlando Magic, they do face a good 3-point shooter in Desmond Bane. And you can add in Tristan Da Silva and Wendell Carter Jr. as guys who can get hot from deep. It worries me.

Game Vitals​

When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -3.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (15-3)​

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Orlando Magic (11-8)​

Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Tristan da Silva, Wendell Carter

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...s-magic-discussion-game-time-tv-odds-and-more

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Heat preview: Detroit faces another Eastern Conference opponent

After a drawn-out late-game comeback attempt, the Detroit Pistons will be in another rock fight vs the Miami Heat.

After cruising to 13 straight wins, Detroit has dropped two in a row to quality Eastern Conference teams. Orlando and Boston do it in different ways, and so do the Heat.

A lot has been made about the rotation. We’re in game 20 of 82 with new faces joining the fold. No coach is perfect, but JB Bickerstaff deserves some time to figure this thing out.

Game vitals​

When: 8:00 p.m. ET

Where: Kiseya Center, Miami, Florida

How: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit

Odds: Pistons +3.5

Analysis​

The last two Ls have come at the end. Detroit hasn’t been blitzed; they’ve been in striking distance. Another close game could be on the horizon.

Miami and Detroit have traded game winners over the last few years. Bam Adebayo drilled a top-of-the-key 3 to send Pistons fans home in disarray in 2024, and Cade Cunningham got redemption, nailing a 25-foot bomb over Adebayo on national TV last season.

These teams play each other close, and now they’re two of the best teams in the conference, like 2005 all over again. The Pistons are on top of the East, and Miami slots in at the three seed. The Heat are winners of 6 in a row, sporting the 13th-ranked offense and No. 2 defense, hence another rock fight could be on the way tonight.

The defensive portion of the Heat’s makeup stays intact, but their approach on the offensive end has been drastically different. After years of spamming pick-and-rolls and dribble-hand-offs, Miami has shifted to a free-flowing isolation and space-based offense.

Miami runs on-ball screens fewer than anyone in the league. And it’s not by a little bit; they’ve practically scribbled out those playtypes. The goal of this offense is to spread out defenses and attack whenever possible. These aren’t the James Harden isolations; they’re created through ball movement and quick decision-making.

Tyler Herro and Norman Powell lead the dance for Miami. The two haven’t played a bunch together as Herro made his season debut earlier this week. Jamie Jaquez Jr. (groin; questionable) is the lead driver on the spaced-out Heat. His resurgence is encouraging because it was gloomy for him last year.

With his slump overall and all the bodies in the lineup, Ron Hollad hasn’t had a very fun last few weeks as a scorer. If Jaden Ivey is out because this is a back-to-back, it would be encouraging to see Holland string together a solid offensive performance. He always brings needed activity and aggression defensively.

I didn’t love Jalen Duren’s usage against the Magic. The last time he took fewer than 10 shots was against that same Magic team. This trend shouldn’t continue in Miami. Kel’el Ware should see plenty of run against Duren. While Ware has dominated the glass, Duren should still be able to go through his chest, scoring buckets and drawing fouls.

Due to the new rotation patterns, we’ve seen fewer Daniss Jenkins and fewer Stew plus Duren minutes. Those young bigs together were one of the driving forces of the streak. They’re figuring things out, but JBB stumbled upon something that worked in Tobias Harris’ absence. It would be a shame if that were discontinued.

Jenkins is on a two-way deal and isn’t the priority Holland or Ivey is. I understand that, but I can’t say I don’t miss Jenkins’ risky passing and constant energy on the floor. Hopefully, 8 minutes a game isn’t his reality.

The star of the whole thing has game up short in the clutch. That’s unlike Cade and nothing to worry about. If this Heat game turns into another game of who has the last-second heroics, I fully expect Cade to answer the phone. This is a good team to get back on track against.

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (15-4)​

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Miami Heat (13-6)​

Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo

Question of the day​

It’s Duncan Robinson’s homecoming in Miami. What Pistons player had the best homecoming game?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...oit-faces-another-eastern-conference-opponent

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Heat final score: Clutch Cade basket shuts door on Miami comeback effort

The game went from a big-time blowout to a spectacular collapse to a gritty win for the Detroit Pistons. You can thank Cade Cunningham for every phase of the wild 138-135 win over the Miami Heat in Miami. We can start with the gritty win part.

Cade Cunningham took the game into his own hands with 34 seconds left and the Heat within three. Cunningham methodically dribbled himself into prime position in the lane for a smooth five-foot pull-up jumper. It effectively iced the game for the Pistons.

Of course, the Pistons didn’t need to make the game that close. For 3.25 quarters, they were absolutely dominant. They scored 76 points in the paint, had 29 assists, and shot 59% from the field. There were accolades to spread around. Cunningham scored 29 points on the night and had eight assists. Tobias Harris scored 26 points on 10-of-12 from the field. Duncan Robinson scored 18 points in his return to Miami. Paul Reed had a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double in 19 minutes. Ron Holland and Daniss Jenkins did the grimey things you love to see.

The Pistons were up 22 points with just over 8 minutes to play in the game, and then the whole thing nearly came crumbling down. Again, you had to look at Cade Cunningham. Heavy is the head, etc.

To be fair, the Pistons did squander eight points of that 22-point lead in the 3-plus minutes Cunningham sat in the fourth quarter. But when your star comes out for the final stretch, and you are nursing a 14-point lead, you expect to close things out easily. It wasn’t the case.

From the 3:40 mark to the 55-second mark, Cunningham committed three turnovers and a 3-point shooting foul on Norm Powell. That took a 14-point lead and whittled it to two.

Cunningham struggled as the Heat told whoever was guarding Ausar Thompson to ignore him and hound Cade as early as possible. Cunningham also too easily and willingly dribbled himself into trouble. It was mind-boggling and frustrating on a night that had so much promise for a Pistons team that had dropped two winnable games in a row.

Luckily for the Pistons, Cunningham decided to own the final minute of play. Not only that game-sealing middie, but on the possession prior, he handled the blitz easily and rifled the ball to Jenkins in the middle of the lane. Jenkins did not hesitate and finished a tough layup over a defender (and perhaps through contact).

Jenkins also split a pair of free throws to give the Pistons a five-point lead with 12.9 seconds left, and then sank two more to make sure the Heat were always trying to overcome a two-possession deficit.

When you lose the free-throw battle 33-17, I guess you’re always going to feel like you’re in a dog fight, but it is truly hard to describe how much the Pistons just freely gifted Miami this game late.

But it ended up a win. An ugly win. A gritty win. A win that ended a brief two-game losing streak. A win against a team in the Eastern Conference that looks to be a top-four team. They will have another one of those battles on Monday when they host the Atlanta Hawks. Let’s hope for a similar effot in the first three quarters, and much less drama in the fourth quarter.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...de-basket-shuts-door-on-miami-comeback-effort