RSS Pistons Team Notes

[Detroit Pistons]

The Pindown: 11 Games & Still Rolling

The Pistons are absolutely rolling! And The Pindown is here to break down exactly why that is. Spoiler alert — it’s Jalen Duren. It seems that Duren has taken a star leap, so Wes and Blake dive into exactly why he has been so dominant and what it means for the team moving forward. Did Duren unlock the two-big lineups? Is he a future All-Star? They also discuss the amazing play of Daniss Jenkins, why the NBA Cup matters for the Pistons and give some love to Javonte Green and Caris LeVert. Special shout out to Gregoire Wagner, DreamScapper00 and SilverLiningBlack for the great questions we missed — we’ll plan on hitting on these next episode!

We’ve got you covered for all this and more in this week’s episode!

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Want to hear your voice on the Pindown? Call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(313) 355-2717⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and leave your question as a voicemail! The guys will play your message and answer your question on that week’s episode! All we ask is that you keep your questions to under 45 seconds.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detroit-pistons-podcasts/48342/the-pindown-11-games-still-rolling

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Jaden Ivey assigned to Motor City Cruise as return nears

Jaden Ivey is being assigned to the Detroit Pistons’ G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, one month following surgery on his right knee. The move is the closest indication yet when the young guard might finally be ready to return to regular-season basketball following a broken fibula that sidelined him on Jan. 1.

It is unclear what his timeline looks beyond that or how much actual game action the Pistons will want Ivey to play with the Cruise before they call him back up to the Pistons for his official season debut.

Ivey appeared in just one preseason game for the Pistons before being sidelined with right knee soreness, which eventually led to arthroscopic surgery. Ivey scored seven points in 13 minutes of action in his one preseason game.

While there is no way to say for certain how Ivey injured his right knee, it is not uncommon for a player to deal with an injury on an unrelated part of their body as part of overcompensating as part of their recovery from another injury. It wouldn’t surprise me if Ivey put too much strain on his right knee as he was getting back into shape during his recovery from his broken left fibula.

His impending arrival is coming at an opportune time for the Pistons, who are riding a 10-game winning streak entering Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks and sit atop the Eastern Conference.

Jalen Duren is having a true breakout season, adding several ingredients to his offensive game and playing a much better brand of defensive basketball. Cade Cunningham hasn’t necessarily discovered his perimeter shot, but he’s getting to the line at the best rate of his career and has a career-high assist-to-turnover ratio.

The Pistons are sorely in need of a couple of things that Ivey can provide — namely some high-level self-creation, a good dose of ball handling, and some additional shooting. We know that Ivey, one of the fastest players in the league, can get his own shot. He is a capable ball-handler and was being pegged as the team’s defacto backup point guard in a rotation with Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert. He also showed an incredibly improved perimeter jumper last season before his injury.

That doessn’t mean all those elements will be immediately apparent, but Ivey could be a piece that helps cement the Pistons as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. He’s fought long and hard to get himself back on the court. Now, the time has nearly arrived.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pist...assigned-to-motor-city-cruise-as-return-nears

 

[Detroit Pistons]

How does Daniss Jenkins’ rise work with Jaden Ivey’s return to the Pistons?

The toothpaste, as they say, is out of the tube when it comes to Daniss Jenkins and the Detroit Pistons.

After another big game — 26 points and 8 assists — against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, I’m not sure you can take the second-year guard out of the rotation. Normally, that’s a great thing. It means a nobody has become a somebody, and that’s exactly what Jenkins has done.

He’s taken advantage of a huge opportunity and he’s run away with it. In my meaningless opinion, he’s earned a fully, guaranteed NBA deal.

However, just sticking him permanently into the rotation isn’t that simple. Jaden Ivey is set to make his long-awaited regular season return in the next few weeks.

My question is, how does this net out?

Don’t get it twisted, this a good problem for head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

Ivey and Jenkins are different players. Jenkins is more point than shooting guard. He’s not a pure point guard, but he runs the offense and can score when he has the opportunity. I think he fits perfectly off the bench and should fill a role similar to what Dennis Schroder occupied last season.

Ivey is different. I always chuckle when folks say he can just slide in as a point guard.

That’s not him, at least not in the traditional sense. He isn’t a guy who will run your offense. He’s an aggressor, an attacking guard who can score. He showed great improvement as a shooter in his 30 games last season, and was playing the best ball of his career before the injury.

But he wasn’t a particularly strong scorer outside of his spot ups. He hadn’t yet figured out how to take his elite speed and athleticism and use it to score inside the arc at a high rate. Maybe that was the focus this summer and he comes back looking like a complete, three-level scorer.

That doesn’t make this rotation any easier to figure out in the meantime.

Let’s start at the top. The opening night starters — Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren — have been bad, boasting a -11.9 net rating in 59 minutes together. Due to all of the injuries, it remains the Pistons’ most-used lineup, but when you replace Tobias with Isaiah Stewart it yields their best lineup with a 16.6 net rating in 41 minutes.

It’s hard to see Bickerstaff breaking that up when it’s helped fuel Detroit’s 12-2 start to the season.

Dive a little deeper and nearly every three-man lineup that’s excelled has had Robinson and Cade in it.

Having one of the best pure shooters on the floor with one of the best players in the NBA is #good. I don’t see how you can break up that backcourt.

Jenkins is going back to the bench once the Pistons are healthy. That’s his best role anyway.

So, do you start Ivey? Can you?

Removing Robinson and his gravity as a volume three-point shooter will create issues of its own. Stewart and Ausar represent the Pistons best defensive pairing and I don’t think you break that up. Duren and Cade aren’t going anywhere, which brings us back to Ivey.

He probably gets eased in off the bench, but I’m not sure how he gets back with the starters when everyone is healthy. I’m sure that isn’t what his reps want leading up to restricted free agency, but the Pistons are too good to shake things up like that right now. Even if Ivey has made his own Duren-like jump and we just haven’t seen it yet, he still may be best suited off the bench.

Remember, James Harden came off the bench for some great Thunder teams. Now he’s a future Hall of Famer.

This isn’t a shot at Ivey, it’s a credit to the success the Pistons have had.

Maybe the solution is bring Jenkins and Ivey off the bench together and removing Caris LeVert from the rotation for now? Bickerstaff has historically been a coach with a 9-man rotation. He deviates when the team struggles, but by and large, he’s not going to play more.

That’s probably not fair to LeVert, who is quietly playing well right now and making $15 million as the Pistons big offseason add, but that’s show biz, babyyyy.

It’s an interesting problem for a team with the best record in the Eastern Conference.

The Pistons’ vibes are immaculate, and Jenkins has earned a chance to play.

Ivey hasn’t done anything to lose minutes and is too good to not utilize in a big way.

I’m excited to watch it all unfold.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...e-work-with-jaden-iveys-return-to-the-pistons

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Bucks final score: Detroit win streak hits 12 as Ivey, Harris return to lineup

Two seasons ago, the Detroit Pistons hit rock bottom. The hiring of Monty Williams was an immediate disaster, the team lost a franchise-record 28 games in a row, and only won 14 total by season’s end. Tonight’s 129-116 win over the Milwaukee Bucks was Detroit’s 14th of the season, meaning the Pistons equaled their win total from two seasons ago, only 16 games into the season.

Speaking of a tough history these Pistons are trying to move beyond, they have struggled mightily against the Bucks, even by their lowly standards. They entered tonight’s game losing 25 of the past 26 contests between the two franchises.

Tonight was different because this team was different. The Pistons dominated for the majority of the game, leading by as many as 29 points before some hot perimeter shooting from Milwaukee made it closer than it needed to be.

The Pistons shot the lights out — from everywhere but the free-throw line. This might be the rare NBA game where a team shot better from the field (62.8%) than they did from the charity stripe (62.5%). They also made the majority of their three-pointers (53.3%).

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 29 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. But the real story of the night was the return of two MVPs — very important Pistons.

Jaden Ivey played in his first game in nearly a year, scoring 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting in 15 minutes off the bench. Tobias Harris also returned after a nine-game absence and didn’t miss a beat. Harris scored 18 points and had five rebounds and four assists. Jalen Duren added 19, 6, and 5 as he continues a breakout campaign that surely has him topping the list of centers for All-Star consideration in the Eastern Conference.

It should also be mentioned that Duncan Robinson fit in beautifully around all the returning talent, and hit five of his six three-pointers.

The Milwaukee Bucks were led by the pesky and dangerous young Ryan Rollins, who was always engaged on defense and scored 24 points, and in a variety of ways.

Detroit won the game because it did what it does best — it owned the paint. Whether it was Duren power and spin moves, Cunningham knifing his way inside, or smart cuts from a Harris or Ausar Thompson.

It’s been beautiful to see all season, and it’s beautiful to see this win streak keep going. Maybe they can exorcise all their demons and get a win streak this season to match their losing streak from two years ago. Nah, that’s crazy. But I would have told you a 12-game win streak was crazy too. So we’ll just enjoy the ride.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...treak-hits-12-as-ivey-harris-return-to-lineup

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Under the Hood: Game 16 at Bucks – Ivey’s Return

Under the Hood – it’s time to see what’s really going on inside this Pistons team.

Firing on All Cylinders

Jaden Ivey returned to the court for the first time since he fractured his leg last season. He played for 15 minutes and finished with 10 points, one rebound, two assists, and one steal.

His first points came from a transition layup where he got to show off his speed and finesse that we’re all used to – and it’s got to be a little sweet for him to finish this over Cole Anthony.

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His second bucket was a catch-and-shoot three from Cade showing he’s still confident in that jumper from last season.

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The third bucket was nice, and he showed us something we don’t always see. He’s running a pick-and-pop with Javonte Green, takes a second to get the defense moving, and creates an open midrange stepback jumper. Maybe Cade taught him this one?

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His final bucket was another transition layup, this time coming from Jalen Duren running the break.

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Ivey’s first assist came from a drive-and-kick possesssion, finding Caris LeVert on the wing after getting into the paint against the Bucks defense.

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His second assist came from a screen set from Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson. As Ivey watches the defense react, he throws a one-handed lefty steamer to Duncan for an open three.

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Transmission Trouble

He only missed two shots and they were both threes. The first one was a wide open look that he should shoot every time, and it’s almost from the exact same spot where he made the three above.

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We miss a little of the beginning of this clip, but he attempts a side step three after a Stew screen. It’s an aggressive shot, but one that I’m happy to see him confident to take in his return to action.

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He had only one turnover and it was from this offensive foul. Though, I’m not sure this is even a good call as he tries to draw contact from AJ Green.

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Mechanic’s Note

JB Bickerstaff and his coaching staff came up with a pretty cool play that they showed at the end of the first half.

It starts with a Duren screen near halfcourt along with a pass to Ivey from Cade. With Cade’s man now behind him, he takes off around Ivey while Ivey gives it back to Duren. Duren ends up with a great angle for an immediate bounce pass to Cade for an open dunk.

It’s a great action to use Duren’s passing ability while also pulling the opposing center away from the rim. This is just another example as to how JBB has been getting Cade more looks off-ball. The broadcast gave us a great angle for this set, too.

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Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pistons-videos/48361/under-the-hood-game-16-at-bucks-iveys-return

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Bucks GameThread: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

The Detroit Pistons are still riding their best winning streak in nearly two decades, and they are getting healthy. That doesn’t mean their rash of injuries are behind them, but some key players are nearing their return. Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey are both listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. That is the first time this season Ivey’s status has risen above being “Out.” The Pistons will definitely be without Bobi Klintman and Marcus Sasser, but the rotation is starting to fill out and Detroit’s depth should make them able to weather that storm. It hasn’t stopped them yet, after all.

Milwaukee’s injury report is shorter, but more dire. That is because all-everything player Giannis Antetokounmpo is out with a left abductor strain. They have lost four of five and two of those were absent Giannis. We will see how they plan now that they know their star will be out for a period and the team has to build an offensive identity without him.

Game Vitals​

When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -8

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (13-2)​

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

Milwaukee Bucks (8-8)​

Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, Myles Turner

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

 

[Detroit Pistons]

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

I don’t want to go so far as to call this a trap game for the Detroit Pistons, but the Indiana Pacers always manage to force a slight sense of discomfort. Yes, they are incredibly injured, yes, their offense is a mess. But they still have Pascal Siakam, who seems to always perform well against Detroit, and they have players who force steals, and I have been following the Pistons for far too long to not be concerned about turnovers despite the progress the team has made this year.

That progress includes the fact that the Pistons are looking to match a franchise-best winning streak of 13 tonight against the Pacers. And the fact that the previous two iterations of the Pistons, who won 13 straight, went on to win NBA titles.

Head coach JB Bickerstaff has promised that we will continue to see expanded rotations tonight — perhaps even 12 players as the lineup approaches full health. There will likely be a minutes restriction on Jaden Ivey, maybe a slighter one for Tobias Harris, and the coach wants to keep rewarding the bench guys who have powered this winning streak — guys like Daniss Jenkins, Javonte Green, and Paul Reed.

Game Vitals​

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -10.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (14-2)​

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

Indiana Pacers (2-14)​

Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Ben Sheppard, Pascal Siakam, Isaiah Jackson

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...roit-pistons-vs-indiana-pacers-fan-discussion

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Under the Hood: Game 17 at Pacers

Under the Hood – it’s time to see what’s really going on inside this Pistons team.

Firing on All Cylinders

This year’s Detroit Pistons team has officially surpassed the amount of wins from the Monty Williams season, but did it in only 17 games.

Detroit won their 13th straight last night and Cade led the way with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in 36 minutes of action. The beauty of having a 6’6” All-NBA point-guard is his ability to consistently get to spots on the floor where he’s most comfortable to get a shot up.

We’ve seen this move before, but he pulled this half-spin jumper out of his bag twice last night to create the space for an open midrange.

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His ability to get a shot up from anywhere on the court really shines in the clutch as he continued to grow his fourth quarter resume last night.

First, Cade hits a right-handed cross into a dribble pull-up after Jarace Walker misses on the steal attempt.

“You reach, I teach.”

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Second, I was really surprised to see Indiana not send a double-team at Cade late. He’s able to get Ben Mathurin switched onto him after a Caris LeVert screen, and then he walks him down from beyond the three-point line to right into the lane. Cade is too big and too skilled for Mathurin to be able to contest that right-handed hook.

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Transmission Trouble

I wouldn’t exactly say this is troubling, but let’s talk about the rotation.

Last night, 11 guys played – four of them played between 8-12 minutes. Those four guys are Holland, Ivey, Jenkins, and Green. The previous game against Bucks, the rotation was also 11 guys with those same four playing between 12-17 minutes.

Ivey’s minutes will obviously increase, but at the expense of who? Jenkins has proven himself worthy of the backup point guard role while RoHo and Javonte are good energy bench pieces. Is the coaching staff expecting Jaden to start next to Cade eventually? Do they plan on keeping Duncan as a starter?

JB on sticking with a 12-man rotation: “In my mind it’s just the right thing to do to continue to give guys opportunities to play … we hope in the long run it pays dividends because we won’t have to wear guys out.”

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) November 24, 2025

We’ll have to keep an eye on the rotation as Ivey gets caught up to speed, but after seeing JBB use a 9-man rotation for most of his Cleveland and Detroit days, it’ll be interesting to see what the end of the rotation looks like over the next several games.

Mechanic’s Note

Jaden Ivey played 12 minutes and had 12 points, three rebounds, and one assist while shooting 5-for-10 from the field with two threes. He looks comfortable out there.

His first three was a long ball assisted by Jenkins against an Indiana zone defense.

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He found a dunk in transition from Caris LeVert.

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He had a crafty transition layup around Jay Huff.

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Last, he had this nasty step back three against TJ McConnell. Ivey calls for a screen from Cade, then creates space away from TJ to knock down the corner three. You can see and hear Cade hyping him up after the shot goes in.

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Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pistons-videos/48394/under-the-hood-game-17-at-pacers

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Pacers preview: Detroit can’t stop, won’t stop

The Detroit Pistons are looking to make history — the kind of history champions are made of. Detroit enters tonight’s contest against the Indiana Pacers riding a 12-game winning streak. Only two other teams in franchise history have won 12 consecutive games in a season, and they both won NBA Titles.

The 2003-04 Pistons won 13 in a row from December 27, 2003, to April 1, 2004. That means it covers both the pre- and post-Rasheed Wallace addition that powered the Going to Work Pistons to their lone NBA championship. The 1989-90 Pistons had a winning streak of 12 and a winning streak of 13 in the same season. That was also the year the Bad Boys won the back half of their back-to-back ships. The 1989 Pistons, for those curious, maxed out at a nine-game winning streak, and won 16 of 17 during their title run.

I’m not saying these Pistons are destined to win a title, but I am saying we’re going to have to start having some conversations pretty soon.

To add a little poetic note to tonight’s game, as Keith Langlois points out, the Pistons will be fighting for their 13th consecutive win, two years to the day, against the same opponent where they suffered their 13th straight loss. Part of Detroit’s franchise-record 28-game losing streak.

Game Vitals​

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -10.5

Analysis​

The story of the Indiana Pacers this season is as simple as it is sad — injuries have decimated their potent offense and it is really hard to get wins if you can’t generate a way to get baskets. They enter tonight 2-14 having lost nine of their past 10 games, and just one of those losses being of the single-digit variety. That is because in their last 10, Indiana sports the worst offense in the NBA at a paltry 106.2 points per 100 possessions. Their defense doesn’t rank much better (27th).

The one thing the Pacers can do is get themselves to the free-throw line, and that ability is even more potent now that Bennedict Mathurin is back in the lineup. The Pistons, it should be noted, also foul at one of the worst rates in the NBA. The Pacers foul nearly as much as they receive, and Detroit has been much better about getting itself to the charity stripe this season. That could be a recipe for a long slog of a game.

This could also be a game where Jalen Duren could dominate. Indy relies on a rotation of Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff, and Tony Bradley at center. No team surrenders more defensive rebounds than the Pacers, and Indy is near the bottom in opponent points in the paint per game. Duren’s eyes should be very wide in this one.

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (14-2)​

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

Indiana Pacers (2-14)​

Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Ben Sheppard, Pascal Siakam, Isaiah Jackson

Question of the Game​

As a Pistons fan, do you have it in your heart to feel bad for the Pacers and their fans this season? They’re not hateable, but they are the Pacers, so ….. ?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...vs-pacers-preview-detroit-cant-stop-wont-stop

 

[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

 

[Detroit Pistons]

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

The Detroit Pistons are looking to prevent a three-game losing streak as they face off against the Miami Heat. After winning 13 straight games, the Pistons have dropped two consecutive contests, against the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic, respectively. The cause has been consistent in both games — real struggles when Cade Cunningham is on the bench. The Pistons are juggling with two deficits here — the first is a lack of a bona fide self-creator and scorer other than Cade, and the other is trying to integrate healthy players back into the lineup while not disrupting the flow of a team that was in its groove.

On the first, Jalen Duren has been a reliable threat but has cooled off some, and on the second, it is simply hard to plug Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris, Ausar Thompson and Caris LeVert back into the lineup and not miss a beat. This is particularly true of Ivey. The Pistons want the ball in his hands, and they also know that him on the floor after missing nearly a year is not going to be a bang-on success out of the gate. That means those minutes might be a bit rough now with an eye toward how it can pay off later. That’s easy enough to say, but it becomes harder when bench lineups struggle, the team can’t find minutes for Daniss Jenkins, and close wins are suddenly becoming close losses.

It doesn’t get any easier tonight against the Heat. Miami has won six games in a row and has the second-best defense in the NBA. Detroit is going to have to earn everything on the offensive end tonight, and on defense, they will need to have answers for Tyler Herro and Norm Powell, who have powered Miami’s win streak. To make it even more difficult, Jalen Duren has been ruled out for tonight’s game with a left leg injury. That means Detroit is down one of its best weapons early in the season. But an optimist, I suppose, would say it at least creates steady minutes for Paul Reed, and that is almost always a good thing.

Game Vitals​

When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Kiseya Center, Miami, Florida
How: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons +4.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (15-4)​

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart

Miami Heat (13-6)​

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

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

 

[Detroit Pistons]

The Pindown: NBA Cup Let Down

After a 13-game win streak, the Pistons dropped two straight. Unfortunately, those two games were Cup games, ruining the Pistons dreams of playing for the NBA Cup in Las Vegas. Wes and Blake get together prior to the game vs. the Heat to break down why the Celtics were just a bad matchup and nothing more, and why that Orlando loss stings just a bit more. They discuss why the team needs Jalen Duren to be more aggressive and why Duncan Robinson is so vital offensively. The guys also break down the early returns from Jaden Ivey, why we need to make sure to be patient with him as he gets his sea legs back under him. And finally, they dive into the 12-man rotation: what are the benefits, what do the guys need to do to make it work, and when it may be time to pull the plug.

We’ve got you covered for all this and more in this week’s episode!

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Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detroit-pistons-podcasts/48452/the-pindown-nba-cup-let-down

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Hawks preview: Pistons look to slow down high-flying Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have figured something out. Jalen Johnson’s ascension and the arrival of Kristaps Porzingis makes it all the easier, but the team has started to cement a play style and identity that fits their talent and maximizes their effectiveness. Even without star and noted Pistons killer Trae Young in the lineup, Atlanta’s offense has been deadly.

Detroit will need to use the imposing, physical nature of its defense to slow Atlanta down and hope that sticking them in a deliberate half-court setting exposes some flaws in a high-powered offense. Otherwise, this could be a long night for the Pistons.

Game Vitals​

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -9.5

Analysis​

This is largely a matchup of like on like. Everything the Pistons like to do, the Hawks like to do, with a few notable differences. Atlanta’s season really began after Trae Young went down on Oct. 29. Since then, the Hawks have fielded one of the most efficient offensive attacks in the NBA, and that has largely to do with their desire to get out and run.

Atlanta is second in the league in fastbreak points and third in points off turnovers since Young went down. They also share the ball prodigiously. Atlanta has five players who play serious minutes with an assist percentage above 15, and five rotation guys who have an assist-to-turnover ratio better than 2.25.

Sharing the ball when you have a man advantage is easier, and there is no question in my mind the Hawks’ game plan is simple — pressure the ball, force turnovers, get out and run, don’t let Detroit guard in a half-court setting.

Making things a bit more difficult in theory is that the Hawks are playing in the second half of a back-to-back, and last night’s game was a 142-134 dogfight on the road in Philadelphia. The Hawks prevailed behind Johnson’s career-high 41 points and a great game from one-time Pistons free agent target Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who scored 34.

The Pistons need to protect the ball and own the glass. The Hawks don’t really care about offensive rebounds — their bigs space the floor, and their wings run back at the earliest opportunity — and Detroit needs to make them pay for that neglect.

Detroit, wings included, must crash the glass and get easier putbacks and get points on the board.

Cade Cunningham must dictate the tempo of the game, enforce his will on offense, and, most importantly, not get loose with the ball. Dyson Daniels will likely get the assignment to guard Cade, and he loves to poke the ball away and generate turnovers.

If Jaden Ivey doesn’t seem up to the task of being a primary ball handler and safety valve alongside Cunningham tonight, I’d love to see JB Bickerstaff move early to get Daniss Jenkins on the floor for some serious minutes, and a big chunk of those minutes playing with Cunningham.

While there is a log jam at guard, it might be a bit cleared up tonight, for better and worse, as Duncan Robinson is likely to miss the game with an ankle issue. Caris LeVert should be back, but I still want Jenkins on the floor for his impact on both ends.

Projected Lineup​

Detroit Pistons (16-4)​

Cade Cunningham, Caris LeVert, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Atlanta Hawks (13-8)​

Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Zachary Risacher, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu

Questions of the Game​

Which teams would you consider the top four teams in the Eastern Conference?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...w-pistons-look-to-slow-down-high-flying-hawks