News Pistons Team Notes

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Hawks final score: Pistons offense humming in team’s sixth straight win

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Detroit scores most points in regulation since the Bad Boys days

Cade Cunningham played perhaps the best half of his career, but it took a true team effort from the Detroit Pistons to secure the 148-143 win against the Atlanta Hawks after Atlanta deployed an anyone but Cade defense in the second half.

Cunningham and Atlanta Hawks’ star Trae Young both finished with 38 points on the night. As they canceled each other out, the question was which team’s other players were going to step up and take the victory. Tonight, it was Piston after Pistons who stepped up.

The biggest clutch plays late belonged to new Pistons point guard and former Hawk Dennis Schroder. The backup point guard was able to help Detroit notch its sixth consecutive win with three assists and seven points in the final quarter. His toughest basket was a tough scoop fall-away layup to put Detroit up 141-140 with 33 seconds left to give the Pistons a lead they would not relinquish.

Cunningham hit a career-high seven three-pointers, including multiple several feet behind the line. Twenty-nine of his 38 came in the first half, and he added 11 first-half assists as well. Atlanta was determined not to let Cade beat them in the second half, and Cunningham trusted in his teammates to get the job done. Because Cade finally has teammates who can get the job done.

Seven Pistons finished in double-figures, and the 148 points on the night was the most in regulation since 1984. The team also compiled 39 assists, the most since 2008.

It was a battle all night, and the Pistons had to navigate early foul trouble to two of its rising young players as both Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren had three fouls before the midpoint of the first quarter.

Limited to a combined 40 minutes of action because of fouls, Thompson and Duren made them count. The pair was 13-for-14 for a combined 27 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals. Their activity helped Detroit keep pace with a blistering Atlanta team.

Trae Young scored 38 points to match Cunningham, while Georges Niang scored 27 off the bench, Dyson Daniels scored 24, and rookie Zacharrie Risacher had an impressive 19.

Both teams were hot from deep, and it led to neither side being comfortable, no matter the score. The Pistons built an extended cushion between eight and 10 points, but no lead is safe when Atlanta is 21-of-45 from deep and gets 26 points from the free-throw line. Luckily, Detroit was even better from deep — 20-of-40. Cade led the team with seven threes, but Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. were both 6-of-10 from deep.

The Pistons won’t get much time to bask in their hard-fought victory. They suit up again Monday night back at Little Caesars Arena against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...s-offense-humming-in-teams-sixth-straight-win

 

[Detroit Pistons]

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

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Trae Young can’t break Pistons fans' hearts again, can he?

It’s fitting that the Detroit Pistons are vying for their sixth consecutive win for the first time since 2014 in Atlanta. Die-hard will remember that at midnight on July 6, 2013, they lured Josh Smith away from the Atlanta Hawks with the richest contract in franchise history. Blog dorks on the internet back then (including yours truly), argued the Pistons should have instead spent big money on fellow free agent Paul Millsap, who had seven extremely productive years in Utah. Millsap effectively replaced Smith in Atlanta for four years and made four All-Star teams. Just one year and five disastrous months after signing his contract, Smith was released by the Detroit Pistons. What does this have to do with a six-game winning streak? Because the Pistons released Smith in December with a 5-23 record and promptly won six consecutive games. It was magical.

No Pistons team has won six consecutive games since that run a decade ago. This year’s team is infinitely better than that team and has an infinitely brighter future. A winning streak now is more than a cute story or a narrative marker to delineate from 15 years of misery. It is a sign of things to come.

Game Vitals​

When: 6 p.m. ET
Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -2.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (30-26)​

Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Atlanta Hawks (26-30)​

Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Mohammed Gueye, Onyeka Okongwu

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...a-hawks-gamethread-game-time-tv-odds-and-more

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Clippers final score: Detroit beats LAC to win seventh straight

David Reginek-Imagn Images

Detroit has won seven straight games for the first time since 2014-15.

Beginning a long stretch of home games, the Detroit Pistons kicked off their first of four at Little Caesars Arena by hosting the Los Angeles Clippers. With the Clippers having almost the same record as the Pistons, this was an important game to get a win and show that the Eastern Conference teams are just as strong as the Western Conference.

The Pistons are playing as strong as any team in the NBA right now. JB Bickerstaff has these guys in sync and playing their best basketball of the season with roughly 25 games left. They don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon as Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons took it to the Clippers 106-97 tonight to stretch their win to streak to seven.

Detroit was the better team tonight. When they would extend their lead, the Clippers would find a way to get back into the game, but the Pistons would never give the lead back. Cade was the best player on the floor once again and he was in complete control. He was incredibly efficient and has been playing at an All-NBA the past several games. Tonight was no different.

The game started off slow with both teams struggling offensively, though, the refs owe the Pistons two points as they missed an obvious foul call on Kris Dunn after tripping Cade Cunningham on a drive. Sixth-Man-of-the-Year candidate Malik Beasley brought the offense off the bench and Detroit ended the quarter on a 10-0 run behind two Beasley threes. The Pistons took a 23-17 lead at the end of the first.

The Clippers didn’t waste any time getting back into the game as they opened the second quarter on a run 14-3. Both teams continued to exchange leads, but Detroit’s playmaking stood out to me. Duren continues to be an intriguing playmaking hub and Cade had a flashback to his quarterback days with a 20-yard dart to Ausar Thompson in transition. With five seconds left, Cunningham hit a three to take a 51-49 lead entering halftime.

Cade led the way for Detroit with 14 points behind three three-pointers and Tobias followed with 11 points. The Clippers top scorers were Kris Dunn (11) and James Harden (10). It was a high-turnover half for both teams. Cade was on triple-double watch after adding five rebounds and five assists as well.

Detroit turned it up in the third quarter. Cade made a beautiful behind-the-back move to set up a lob to Jalen Duren to take a 70-67 lead that forced a Tyronn Lue timeout:

Cade Duren pic.twitter.com/IFZu0MPwz0

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 25, 2025​

still thinking about this Cade to JD lob https://t.co/fUVNt0dqWU pic.twitter.com/1ZnIuQNdpW

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 25, 2025​

A few minutes later, Ausar followed that up with a lefty hammer on Derrick Jones Jr off a baseline inbounds play:

well alright Ausar Thompson pic.twitter.com/PSemYEMBfi

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) February 25, 2025​

The Pistons took their largest lead of the game at 10 with a Dennis Schroeder finger roll with three seconds left in the quarter. Detroit had a 85-75 lead heading into the fourth.

The Clippers weren’t going away. After a few Cade turnovers, the Clips went on a 10-2 run to bring the game within two. Ausar was making big plays on both ends of the court as Detroit slowly extended their lead. Cunningham hit the dagger three with a minute left to put the Pistons up 10. Detroit would go on to win 106-97.

Cade Cunningham nearly had a triple-double with 32 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. He did it efficiently on only 22 shots while also shooting 12 free throws. He connected well from deep hitting four of his nine attempts.

Tobias added 20 points and was the steady vet tonight who was dependable to get a bucket when the offense struggled to find an easy look. He hit multiple post fadeaways and had five rebounds. Duren was a beast on the boards with 18 and Beasley hit three threes despite it feeling like a quiet night for him.

Ausar was truly in his Athletic Draymond role tonight. He finished with 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, four steals, and two blocks. He was everywhere on the court. He had a couple strong finishes at the rim, played the passing lanes well, and showed off his verticality on both sides of the floor.

The Pistons have now won seven straight games for the first time since 2014-2015, and they are 21-9 since December 21st.

SEVEN IN A ROW pic.twitter.com/BVMagPrPXh

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 25, 2025​

Detroit plays again Wednesday night when they host the Eastern Conference #2 seed in the Boston Celtics. Perhaps a playoff preview?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...ore-detroit-beats-lac-to-win-seventh-straight

 

[Detroit Pistons]

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

Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Clippers playing without Kawhi Leonard, Norm Powell, Ben Simmons

The Detroit Pistons are coming off their best offensive performance of the season and looking for their seventh consecutive win as they host the Los Angeles Clippers at Little Caesars Arena. Both teams are on a back-to-back that involves travel. Detroit is coming off of a 148-143 win in Atlanta, while the Clippers are coming off of a 129-111 loss in Indianapolis against the Pacers.

The Clippers will be playing tonight with star Kawhi Leonard (left foot soreness), Norm Powell (left patellar tendinopathy), and Ben Simmons (left knee injury management). The Pistons will be playing without Simone Fontecchio, who left the game against the Hawks after suffering a dislocated finger on his shooting hand.

The Pistons will once again be relying on a team effort, with shooters like Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr., secondary passers like Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren, and the calming presence of veteran Tobais Harris helping take some of the pressure of their star Cade Cunningham.

In the win over the Hawks, Cade scored 29 points in the first half, but was limited to eight points in the second half as Atlanta sold out and committed to an anyone-but-Cade defense. His team was happy to oblige, and the team shot a season-high 59%.

The Clippers don’t really have that luxury with Leonard and Powell out for the game. They will need to rely on James Harden to do a bit of everything. And they have to find a way to start defending like a typical Ty Lue team is capable of.

Game Vitals​

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -3

Projected Starters​

Detroit Pistons (31-26)​

Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Los Angeles Clippers (31-25)​

James Harden, Kris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nicolas Batum, Ivica Zubac

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...lippers-gamethread-game-time-tv-odds-and-more

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Celtics preview: Two of the hottest teams in the East collide

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

The Detroit Pistons slot into the 5th seed with a win tonight

The Detroit Pistons are on a seven-game winning streak and can slide into the 5th seed with a win against the reigning champions tonight. The Boston Celtics are on a back-to-back and arrive winners of six in a row. Who would’ve thought a Celtics-Pistons matchup in late February would be a critical game for both squads? (Celtics seeding isn’t in jeopardy, but they want to continue to string good games together as we gear up for the postseason).

The Celtics are easily the best team Detroit has faced during this winning streak. They’ll look to target the Pistons’ weak spots. We’ll better understand how Detroit’s recent top-notch defense will fair against a top offense, stretch bigs, and a revolving door of drive-and-kicks.

Game Vitals​

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons +4.5

Analysis​

Boston is one of three Eastern Conference teams Detroit has matched up with and is winless against so far this year (0-3 Boston, 0-3 Cleveland, Milwaukee 0-2).

One could see that stat and worry about their playoff chances since these are the top dogs in the East (Milwaukee hasn’t played up to par, but that’s a tough out with Giannis + Dame). That takeaway is fair if your barometer is whether the Pistons are true contenders, but Detroit has played well vs the current third-seeded New York Knicks. That’s a matchup where Detroit can attack the Knicks’ pressure points better than New York can the other way around.

Boston doesn’t have the same limitations as the Knicks. They don’t have a defensive liability at center who draws “he’s too little” remarks from opponents. That’s when Kristaps Porzingis actually plays, though. If Boston trots out Torrey Craig as their starting center against Jalen Duren, they’ll be in for a wake-up call in Detroit. Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and Al Horford all missed last night’s game against Toronto, so maybe they’ll be back against the playoff-pushing Pistons.

Boston plans to stretch Duren to the perimeter regardless of who suits up. He’s been so-so closing out and staying attached to bigs with jumpers all season. His improvement over the last two months stems from his activity, and more of that will be needed to leave Little Caesars Arena victorious in this one. If the Celtics go small, Duren must throw his weight around in the paint, making Joe Mazzulla reconsider his lineup choices.

Duren can be dominant, but it is unlikely that Mazzulla will change his strategy. He’s a stickler for the math battle and will gladly exchange Duren paint shots for triples on the other end. Detroit’s on-ball defense and rotations are key to slowing down the Celtics drive-and-kick offense. Keeping the ball in front and constantly communicating on X-outs are essential for the Pistons tonight.

Cade Cunningham continues his All-NBA bid. A stellar game against the champs in a pivotal matchup this late in the season could catch voters’ attention. He’s been dominant all month, and doing it against the best of the best adds to his case.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo (contingent on games played), and Jayson Tatum are penciled in the first team slots today. Cade has a case for the 5th spot.

Tonight’s matchup will likely feature Ausar Thompson going against Tatum. It’s amazing how Trae Young is his matchup one night, and a few games later, he’s matched with a 6-foot-8 primary creator. That versatility doesn’t grow on trees. Boston’s All-Defensive guard, Jrue Holiday, should suit up tonight after resting yesterday. The first two Pistons-Celtics matchups were good ball; we should be in store for another good game tonight.

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (32-26)
Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Boston Celtics (42-16)
Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Torrey Craig(?)

Question of the Day​

Who’s player development has impressed you most over the year?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...-two-of-the-hottest-teams-in-the-east-collide

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Game-by-Game Predictions: How high will the Pistons’ playoff hopes fly?

Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images

Detroit is 23 games away from the playoffs. How they finish the regular season will dictate a lot.

The Detroit Pistons are fun, entertaining and good.

Damn, it feels good, doesn’t it?

Welcome to our new reality we enter uncharted territory with the current era of Pistons’ basketball — a playoff chase. Detroit currently sits at 33-26 after a 117-97 win over the defending champion Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

They have 23 games remaining and an 4.5-game cushion on the Orlando Magic for the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. That’s notable because the No. 6 seed skips past the NBA’s play-in tournament.

Hanging onto that spot is immensely important for Detroit’s playoff chances. It’s crazy that we’re saying things like this one year after the most miserable season in team history.

So, let’s dive into the remaining schedule and see where the possible wins and losses lie. I promise, this is broken out week by week and how I saw it is how it stayed. I didn’t keep a running count so it’s an honest week-by-week assessment.

For reference, ESPN’s Basketball Power Index projects the Pistons to finish 45.5-36.5.

The Remaining Schedule​

Fri, Feb 28 vs Denver

Sat, Mar 1 vs Brooklyn

Analysis: The Pistons have had issues with the upper half of the NBA all season long – though they’ve now beaten the Clippers and Celtics in consecutive games. They’ve got a 10-16 record against teams with an above-.500 record, and Denver is another one. The Pistons are the hottest teams in the East and Denver is that in the West with 9 wins in their last 10. Make it 10 of their last 11 Friday, but the Pistons rebound to beat Brooklyn the next night to split the week.

Record: 1-1

Mon, Mar 3 @ Utah

Wed, Mar 5 @ L.A. Lakers

Sat, Mar 8 @ Golden State

Sun, Mar 9 @ Portland

Analysis: If there’s a moment that really foreshadowed the Pistons’ rise to relevance this season, it was their last west coast road trip back in December. Detroit went 4-1 on that trip with wins over the Suns, Lakers and Kings. This one isn’t quite as daunting, but I still think they probably split here. A win at Utah and Portland with losses to the Jimmy-infused Warriors and Luka’s Lakers.

Record: 2-2

Tue, Mar 11 vs Washington

Thu, Mar 13 vs Washington

Sat, Mar 15 vs Oklahoma City

Analysis: Washington is a lost cause, two wins there. OKC is a big dog. That’s a loss, but I’m interested to see what Detroit looks like against one of the elite defenses in the NBA.

Record: 2-1

Mon, Mar 17 @ New Orleans

Wed, Mar 19 @ Miami

Fri, Mar 21 @ Dallas

Analysis: Weird road trip here. You’ve got two of the nightlife road games with NOLA and South Beach then a trip to a Dallas team that is probably figuring itself out by late March. Pelicans have been a mess and it’s hard to predict when Zion Williamson will play. Miami is a big game for seeding purposes, but the Pistons are 2-1 against the Heat. Both wins came in OT, so I’ll say Miami gets a win after Detroit beats New Orleans. They’ll follows that with a loss at Dallas, assuming Anthony Davis is back.

Record: 1-2

Sun, Mar 23 vs New Orleans

Tue, Mar 25 vs San Antonio

Fri, Mar 28 vs Cleveland

Analysis: Another three-game week with a few winnable games clustered before a big one against a contender. I think the Pelicans is a win and the Spurs is a win, too. Wemby or not, De’Aaron Fox is still a bad man, but so is Cade. I’m gonna give the Pistons a win over the Cavs. They came oh-so-close last time, and I think a late-season matchup at an LCA that theoretically has some energy and juice is enough to finally get over the hump.

Record: 3-0

Sun, Mar 30 @ Minnesota

Wed, Apr 2 @ Oklahoma City

Fri, Apr 4 @ Toronto

Sat, Apr 5 vs Memphis

Analysis: It’s nut up or shut up time. The Pistons head into April with seven of their final eight games against postseason teams. Seeding and whatnot starts to come into play here. Minnesota wants no part of the play-in, I think that’s a tough road loss. The next three are one of Detroit’s hardest scheduling runs with the first of two three-games-in-four-nights stretches. Two days rest on the road heading into OKC is another loss as the Thunder look to lock up homecourt throughout. Toronto is probably playing for nothing, so let’s chalk up a win there and then a home game against Memphis the next night — a dreaded SEGABABA — is another loss.

Record: 1-3

Mon, Apr 7 vs Sacramento

Thu, Apr 10 vs New York

Fri, Apr 11 vs Milwaukee

Sun, Apr 13 @ Milwaukee

Analysis: IT’S THE FINAAALLLLLL COUNTDOWWWWWWN! Big stretch here to end the season. Could be two games against Milwaukee with the fifth seed on the line or one against New York serving as a playoff preview. Sacramento is hard to peg, they could be in or out of the race. I think the Suns figure their crap out and squeeze the Kings out. Detroit wins against Sacto eam they’ve beaten twice in a row. The Knicks aren’t catching Boston, and I don’t think Indiana is catching them… but Thibs isn’t one to rest starters. This is a dog fight — just like I think a first-round playoff matchup would be. I think Detroit loses to NY for the first time this season. Milwaukee is tough. The Pistons have lost 11-straight games in that series. I’ve gotta go with the team that has pedigree — and a top five player in the NBA — so Bucks take both.

Record: 1-3

—

So, there you have it. The Pistons finish with an 11-12 record over their final 23 games and a 43-39 record, their best since going 44-38 in 2015-16. I hope I’m wrong and I hope they go 23-0 the rest of the way.

Either way, it’s great to have this to look forward to. Meaningful basketball in the second half of the season feels like a gift from the basketball gods after the past four seasons. The fact that we’re watching a team that is battling for more than the opportunity to be swept as the No. 8 seed is even better.

Let us know your projected record in the comments!

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...or-the-pistons-during-their-playoff-chase-nba

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Celtics final score: Pistons winning streak moves to eight with a definitive win over champs

Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images

Detroit was the better team tonight against the Eastern Conference’s #2 seed.

This Detroit Pistons season is special. Considering what every player and fan had to experience last season, it’s unbelievable that Detroit is having such a successful season. Cade Cunningham is an All-Star who could make an All-NBA team this year and Detroit is approaching the 4-seed in the Eastern Conference. Tonight, they extended their winning streak to 8 with a 117-97 victory over the Boston Celtics.

Boston got hot at the end of the first half, but it really wasn’t that close of a game. Detroit looked like the better team on both sides of the court against the defending champions. They forced 17 Boston turnovers and outscored them 62-20 in the paint. Detroit’s defense shined tonight as they have now won eight games for the first time since 2008.

They say basketball is a game of runs, and the first quarter was exactly that. The game started with a 13-2 Detroit run, but Jayson Tatum got hot and led Boston on an 18-5 run to take the lead. That’s when Ausar Thompson decided to get three consecutive steals, two on Tatum, and brought the energy to Little Caesar’s Arena after Detroit had an 11-0 run to end the first. The Pistons held a 29-20 lead and Thompson had four steals in the quarter.

Joe Mazzulla had to take a timeout two minutes into the second after Detroit started off on a 9-2 run. Detroit was getting plenty of offense in transition, and considering how athletic they are, it’s not a surprise they’re ranked #2 in the NBA in fast break points. However, Boston’s strength is the long ball, and they hit six consecutive threes during a 27-12 run to tie the game up at 55 heading into halftime.

Most of Boston’s points were coming from deep as they only had 10 points in the paint and shot 54% from three. Tatum had 15 points while White and Pritchard both had 12 with four threes each. Detroit was led by Beasley (12) and Cunningham (10), but the Pistons were struggling to shoot from deep at 28%. They did a good job getting inside as 32 of their 55 first-half points were in the paint.

Detroit was able to reclaim the lead in the third. The Cade Cunningham-Jalen Duren pick-and-roll was an issue for Boston’s defense as Joe Mazzulla needed another timeout after three straight Duren layups put the Pistons up 10. Ausar hit a mean crossover on Tatum late in the quarter and Detroit took an 11-point lead heading into the fourth with a score of 90-79.

Beasley started the final quarter with two consecutive threes after forcing two Boston turnovers, and that sequence sent LCA into a frenzy as he threw his hands in the air to pump up the crowd. Boston brought in their five bench players with five minutes left in the game to throw up the white flag with Detroit winning by 18. The Pistons closed it out to win 117-97.

Malik Beasley led the way for Detroit with 26 points, including six threes. Cade added 21 points and 11 assists while Tobias contributed with 16 points and nine rebounds. Ausar Thompson made his impact felt defensively with five steals and some great perimeter defense. Detroit moves to 33-26 and is a half-game back from the 4th seed.

The Pistons will host Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.

You know the Pistons won again! Ws in the chat!

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...tics-final-score-pistons-winning-streak-eight

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Nuggets preview: Red-hot Detroit ready to host surging Denver

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

The Pistons will look to extend their winning streak to nine games

This time a week ago, the Detroit Pistons were an improving team that had trouble beating the league’s best. Since then, they’ve notched a pair of wins over a pair of good teams in the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics.

Enter, the Denver Nuggets.

Detroit will face off against Nikola Jokic and company one final time this season at LCA on Friday. The Nuggets are coming off a hard-luck loss across Lake Michigan against the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday, their third game in four days.

Can a fired up Pistons team upend a tired Nuggets squad to extend their winning streak to nine games? We’ll find out.

Game Vitals​

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons +1.5

Analysis​

Prior to their loss in Milwaukee, the Nuggets had won 9 of their last 10 games.

It’s taken a bit of time, but Denver shook off some early-season inconsistencies and really come into form over the last month. The main reason for that is obviously that man in the middle, Jokic. The three-time MVP might be having his best season yet, averaging 29.2 points 12.6 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game. That might be the most nonchalant triple-double average ever. Jamal Murray has been steady too at 21.1 points per game.

It’s the role players that are interesting in this one. Sure, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. are offering the same production in the front court, but it’s a young guy and an old guy that are giving Denver a different look.

Russell Westbrook has been left for dead countless times since 2020, but each time he finds a way to stick around. With Denver, his unique skillset has been a perfect fit as he’s given them a boost off the bench and as a spot starter. He fits with Joker and he’s really embraced life as a role player — vital for a guy in his 17th (!!) year.

Christian Braun, though, has been awesome this year. The former Kansas guard has steadily grown as a starter after giving the Nuggets nice production off the bench during their title run in 2023. I just like the way he plays. It’s 3-and-D with attitude and the ability to yam on anybody... as Brook Lopez learned the hard way on Thursday:

CHRISTIAN BRAUN THROWS IT DOWN

Secures the league-leading 27th triple-double for Joker! pic.twitter.com/l5fuWwHoMX

— NBA (@NBA) February 28, 2025

Detroit will have its hands full here. This game comes down to discipline from the two centers, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. Hell, I’ll add Paul Reed in, too. They need to defend Jokic without fouling because the Pistons cannot win this game small.

Offensively, they probably can’t win without Duren’s playmaking, either. He needs to play smart and I’m trusting him more and more because he’s showing improved maturity from that perspective.

I like the size advantage in the backcourt with Cade Cunningham against Jamal Murray. I think if Dennis Schroder is back, the Pistons are going to be able to score against a Denver defense that has given up 119 points per game over their last five games.

Really, this game is gonna come down to energy and effort. The Pistons will give 110% and the Nugs are coming off a tough loss and travel. Scheduling losses are a part of the NBA, so if the Nuggets find themselves getting shelled in the second half (like Boston was the other night) I can see Michael Malone call it early to get his guys rest.

It’s wild that I’m saying this seriously, but that’s where we're at with the Pistons. They’re good enough to beat anybody, anytime.

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (33-26)
Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Denver Nuggets (38-22)
Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic

Question of the Day​

The Pistons are sizzlin’ right now, but what is one area you’d like them to continue to shore up?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...-hot-detroit-ready-to-host-surging-denver-nba

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Nuggets final score: Detroit has no answers for Denver offensive attack

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Jokic masterful, Murray scorching while Cade struggles

The Detroit Pistons had their eight-game winning streak snapped in an 134-119 loss to the Denver Nuggets at a sold-out Little Caesar Arena on Friday. Cade Cunningham struggled with the Nuggets outsized defensive attention, finishing with 11 points and four assists.

Denver’s pair of stars, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray had no such trouble. If the game managed to stay close, Nikola Jokic would have flirted with a 20-20-20 triple-double. Instead, he finished with 23 points, 17, rebounds, and 15 assists. Murray had a game-high 31 points and abused Detroit with a mix of elbow jumpers and above-the-break three-pointers.

The Nuggets defensive game plan was to focus three (or more) defenders on Cunningham, and it forced Cade to defer for most of the first 2.5 quarters. He didn’t have a field goal in the first half and was limited to three points.

At the same time, the Nuggets were blistering hot from deep. Denver finished 17-of-31 from three. While their stars played at an elite level, Denver also got a big boost from its secondary players as well. Christian Braun feasted on the attention Detroit paid to Jokic and found several cutting lanes for easy hoops. When he wasn’t hitting bunnies, he was using some burst and elite body control to finish in the lane through traffic. He scored 23 points on 10-of-14 from the floor. Michael Porter Jr was 6-of-7 from deep and 10-of-15 overall on his way to 26 points.

There was simply nothing the Pistons could do to stop Denver tonight or to solve their defensive attention they were putting on Cade.

Early, it seemed like Detroit had plenty of fight in them. When the Nuggets burst out to an early 18-point lead, the Pistons were able to cut it to one before halftime.

Having fight is not the same as having answers, however, and the game fell away by the midpoint of the third quarter when Denver was able to stretch the lead to 25.

The Pistons will have to lick their wounds and get locked back in as they play the Brooklyn Nets tomorrow for what will be their fifth game in seven nights.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...it-has-no-answers-for-denver-offensive-attack

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Nuggets GameThread: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Can the Pistons’ winning streak survive against the NBA’s best player?

The Detroit Pistons are riding high, in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, including a convincing win against the Boston Celtics. The Denver Nuggets are nearly as talented as the Celtics. They are also likely tired and a little bit angry. They are coming off of a 121-112 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, and they had to jump right on a plane and prepare for tonight against the Pistons. Will they take out frustration on the Pistons? Will they have anything left in their tank?

Game Vitals​

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons +1.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (33-26)
Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Denver Nuggets (38-22)
Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...nuggets-gamethread-game-time-tv-odds-and-more

 

[Detroit Pistons]

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

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Killian Hayes is back in the NBA and showing that he belongs

Well, well, well, look who’s back. Killian Hayes will once again grace the Little Caesars Arena hardwood, but for the first time, he will be wearing the jersey of the opposing team. The French point guard who became the first draft pick of the Troy Weaver era and, perhaps, the biggest talisman of his shortcomings, is now a member of the Brooklyn Nets, who are visiting the Detroit Pistons.

Game Vitals​

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

Analysis​

Hayes had not played in the NBA since being released by the Pistons last February until signing a deal with the Nets five games ago. This comes after a season refining his game as a member of the Nets G League affiliate. Honestly, in those five games, Hayes is looking like an NBA player.

I always said he seemed a jump shot away from being a plus NBA point guard, but the shot was so far away, and the ability to hit shots (and/or finish) is such a critical skill for a point guard that until he was able to discover that jumper, he probably wouldn’t be an NBA player. To his credit, Hayes seems to have worked his ass off to build that reliable jump shot, and it’s allowing him to stay on the floor and all his other skills to shine through.

Granted, it is a small sample size, but Hayes is connecting on 42% of his threes and 50% of his twos with roughly a 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio in five games (four starts) as a member of the Nets. His true shooting percentage has eclipsed 60% and a negative win shares player in his previous four seasons is clocking in at .125 so far this season. To put that in context, a player in the .50 range is a decent reserve, and .100 is a starter-level player. Now, is he actually a 42% three-point shooter? Almost certainly not. But in 28 G League games this season, he averaged 35% from deep on nearly five attempts per game. That is perfectly fine, considering all his other attributes as a point guard with size who doesn’t seem to give away anything on defense and can pass the hell out of the ball.

The Nets have lost four of his five games, but Brooklyn is not really in the business of racking up wins the rest of the season. It’s why they traded Dennis Schroder, who is now a Piston, and Dorian Finney Smith, who is now a Laker.

This could be a good get-right game for the Pistons, who are looking to rebound after a lopsided loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday. It is certainly not a gimmie, but if Detroit can play with the same effort and energy they displayed against Denver, and if Cade Cunningham can have even an average performance, they should come away with a victory.

Projected Starters​

Detroit Pistons (33-27)​

Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway Jr., Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Brooklyn Nets (21-38)​

Killian Hayes, Keon Johnson, Ziaire Williams, Cameron Johnson, Nic Claxton

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...yn-nets-gamethread-game-time-tv-odds-and-more

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Nets final score: Detroit wins ugly, wins big behind big game from Jalen Duren

Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images

Duren with career-high six blocks in victory

The Detroit Pistons survived a season-high 27 turnovers, some lethargic play, a third-quarter collapse, and a Malik Beasley ejection in a 115-94 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

It was Exhibit A in how deceiving box scores can be. You look at a 21-point win in a game where you hold an opponent to 30% shooting and 15% from deep and think the Pistons must be pretty happy with their performance.

However, I imagine both teams will want to wash the stink of this game off of themselves and move on. Detroit took a 23-point lead into halftime but allowed the Nets to get within six points before the third quarter was over.

The biggest culprit was the team again struggling to navigate when all of the attention was focused on Cade Cunningham, who had a relatively quiet night until a nice run to put the game away in the fourth quarter. There were also issues with turnovers, allowing the Nets to never feel out of the game. When Detroit started bricking shots and not bothering to create good offense, you could feel the Nets' energy level and confidence pick up.

Of course, a Nets team that can go down 23 points early is liable to give up another huge run, which is exactly what happened in the fourth quarter. The game was chippy throughout, and there were some questionable calls going both ways. You could feel the refs trying to get control of the game with a quick whistle, which only made the players even more upset.

There was a truly absurd offensive foul call on Cade Cunningham when a defender played so close that he smacked his head into Cade’s shoulder. The impact forced the defender’s head back and a fall (or flop) to the ground. The whistle went against Cade, and it seemed to finally fire up the player and the crowd enough to lock in and put the game away.

The game needed to get a bit out of control for the Pistons to wake up and take control.

When the whistle was called, the Nets were able to convert on the next possession and trim the lead to seven with 9:24 to play. An angry Cunningham, knowing he was liable to earn a quick whistle or a makeup call, aggressively took the ball to the rim on the next possession and converted over DayRon Sharpe for an and-one.

The teams traded baskets for a bit until a Cunningham corner three from a nifty Ausar Thompson pass put the Pistons up 11. Detroit then got another and-one for Jalen Duren after a good defensive stop, and the crowd was fired up. Malik Beasley took the opportunity to go into the teeth of Brooklyn’s bench and talk trash. It earned Beasley his second technical foul, and he was tossed.

Duren made the subsequent free throw to put Detroit up 14 and the game felt firmly back in the control of the Pistons. Duren was one of three Pistons to score 18 points on the night, but he is the only one you could confidently say had a good game. He played strong defense, which was especially needed on a night when Isaiah Stewart struggled massively on both ends of the floor. Duren had a career-high six blocks on the night to go with two steals and 11 boards while shooting 6-of-7 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the line. Cunningham and Beasley also had 18 points for the Pistons.

The Pistons had 15 blocks as a team. Some of that is attributable to playing hard, but an even larger portion is because Brooklyn took some seriously ill-advised shots near the rim tonight. Detroit was also able to capitalize on Brooklyn’s overall sloppy play to the tune of 36 fastbreak points.

The Nets were led by 23 points off the bench from Tyrese Martin. Former Piston Killian Hayes started for Brooklyn but scored just four points on 1-of-6 shooting in 26 minutes.

The game was not one of Detroit’s best, but it was a solid bounce back a night after seeing their eight-game win streak end in lopsided fashion against the Denver Nuggets. It was also Detroit’s fifth game in seven nights. The Pistons will now embark on a crucial four-game road trip out west. They will begin the trip with a visit to Utah before going to the coast to face the Clippers, Warriors and Trail Blazers.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...-nets-final-score-jalen-duren-cade-cunningham

 

[Detroit Pistons]

The Pindown: The NBA’s Hottest Team

Discussing the Pistons hot streak, our coldest takes & more!

The Pistons have rattled off nine out of their last 10 games. As far as Blake and Wes are concerned, they’ve proven that they are not only legitimate, but a true threat for future playoff basketball. The guys break down exactly why the sequence of games against Boston, Denver and Brooklyn should allow fans to cast aside any lingering doubts they may have. They take the time to shout out the monster defensive game Jalen Duren had against the Nets, Cade’s willingness to take a back seat in blowouts and just how high up in the standings this team can go. Finally, Evan from Ontario calls to ask for Blake and Wes’s coldest and most poorly aging opinions from the last couple of seasons.

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

Detroit Bad Boys YouTube

Follow Wes Davenport on Twitter @TheRealWesD3

Follow Blake Silverman on Twitter @BlakeSilverman

Follow Sean Corp on Twitter @sean_corp

The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast is your home for fan-driven Pistons content. Hosted by Wes Davenport, from Motor City Hoops and producer of the Pistons Pulse Podcast, and Blake Silverman, DBB’s resident draft expert covering both the Pistons and the Motor City Cruise. The guys bring a reasoned analysis to a uniquely interactive show. And if you want to hear your voice on the podcast, 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/2025/3/2/24376196/the-pindown-the-nbas-hottest-team

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Submit your questions for The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast

Tune in live Sunday at 10 a.m. ET to join in on the conversation.

It’s mailbag time!

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

Join us live on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET for the show where we’ll talk through the past week of Pistons’ basketball, including everything trade deadline. Just how far can the red-hot Pistons go? What has been the highlight of the ongoing win streak? Is J.B. Bickerstaff the NBA’s Coach of the Year? Does Pistons Jack need to move to Detroit?

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: Sunday March 2 at 10 a.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.

Listen to the show’s recording the following morning wherever you listen to your podcasts.

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Last Week’s Show:​

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/2/28/24375155/pindown-detroit-pistons-podcast

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Jazz final score: Cade breaks out of slump as Pistons notch rare win in Utah

Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Detroit has now won 10 of its past 11 games

Growing up during the Goin’ to Work days, I always found it fascinating that the Detroit Pistons never won in Utah.

The Utah Jazz were obviously good with John Stockton and Karl Malone, then again with Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, but the Pistons were great. Why is that the one place we never won?

The Pistons entered Monday night’s game in Utah with a 13-42 record all-time in Salt Lake City. Detroit last won there on Nov 23, 2022, but have lost four in a row to the Jazz since, including a loss at Little Caesars Arena in December.

None of that mattered this time as the Pistons jumped on the Jazz early and never let up, cruising to an easy 134-106 win.

While the Jazz were without starting forwards Lauri Markkanen and John Collins, the Pistons were without their starting power forward as Tobias Harris missed the game for personal reasons. Backup center Isaiah Stewart also sat with a back injury.

Didn’t matter.

Cade Cunningham looked like Cade again. After two lackluster nights, the All-Star guard scored 14 points in the first half and finished with 29 points, 9 assists and 4 steals, helping to spark the Pistons’ big first half that resulted in a 20-point lead at halftime.

The other standouts was Jalen Duren. The big man continued his dominant stretch, blocking 4 shots to go with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

There’s something that’s been unlocked with Duren lately. He’s playing like a brawnier Bam Adebayo, changing shots at the rim, playmaking from the high post and on dribble hand-offs and dunking the living hell out of everything:

Jalen Duren on the ATTACK once again pic.twitter.com/2aRXtFd2WA

— Pistons Nation (@PistonsNationCP) March 4, 2025

And, for good measure, get a load of this defensive play:

Jalen Duren snatch block into a coast to coast finish, one of the most impressive plays I’ve ever seen from him pic.twitter.com/7TEnSpb1R6

— Mob (@MobHoops) March 2, 2025

What’s crazy about this is it’s not like Duren’s jump has been purely the fruits of offseason’s labor. This in-season improvement is extremely impressive. Three months ago, he was a bad defender. He was just a lob threat and rebounder.

This just adds another element to at team that is increasingly dangerous. I think we, as Pistons fans, are always a little cynical about things. I’m starting to wonder if this team might continue to get better as they approach the playoffs.

It honestly wasn’t something that I considered before February because it felt too ahead of schedule. Maybe we’re right on schedule now?

Malik Beasley was solid in his return to Utah, scoring 15 points and nailing 3 threes in a start for Tobias. I thought he was a little too aggressive against his former team — shown by his 3/14 showing from downtown — but if you want the best of Beasley, you have to be willing to accept the worst on nights like this.

Detroit took its foot off the gas late as a 29-point lead shrunk to 14 with 8:27 to go. It never got any closer as the starters steadied the ship late.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...-erupts-as-pistons-notch-rare-win-in-utah-nba

 

[Detroit Pistons]

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

Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

Tobias Harris out for Pistons, just about everyone out for the Jazz

The Utah Jazz were already going to be underdogs against the surging Detroit Pistons, and that was before the team ruled out nearly every significant player in their lineup. Lauri Markkanen, the Jazz’s best player is out. John Collins is out. Jordan Clarkson is out. Taylor Hendricks is out. The Pistons will not be 100% healthy. Jaden Ivey, of course, remains out. Starting power forward Tobias Harris will also miss the game due to personal reasons. Isaiah Stewart is also listed on the injury report (lower back contusion), but he looks like he is going to give it a go. The line has drifted into double digits in favor of the Pistons, and while this team has a penchant for making games far more interesting than they should be, let’s hope that they can make it an early night against the depleted Utah team.

Game Vitals​

When: 9 p.m. ET
Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -11

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (34-27)​

Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren

Utah Jazz (15-45)​

Isaiah Collier, Collin Sexton, Brice Sensabaugh, KJ Martin, Walker Kessler

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...ah-jazz-gamethread-game-time-tv-odds-and-more

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Jalen Duren is letting you know he’s not going anywhere

Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images

Duren is owning the paint on both ends of the floor and it is reshaping the Pistons ceiling

The Detroit Pistons are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, but they struggled mightily in the first month and a half of the season. You could blame a grueling early-season schedule. You could blame an endless transition of learning a new coach’s system for the second consecutive year. If you ask Jalen Duren, though, he might blame himself.

“I think it’s pretty obvious I started the season slow on some soft s***,” Duren told the Detroit Free Press in February. The season’s low point hit Dec. 19. The Pistons surrendered 126 points to the Utah Jazz to fall six games below .500. It was the fifth time in six games Detroit allowed an opponent to score at least 123 points.

Whether it was a wake-up call or things began clicking into pace, the Pistons turned their season around by increasing their defensive pressure and attention. A lot of that credit goes to Duren.

The Low Point for the Big Man​

In that December matchup, the third-year center was a team-low -26 in just 25 minutes. Limited to eight points on four field-goal attempts. Fast forward to Monday, when the Pistons faced the Jazz again. Duren was a team-high +31 on the floor and had a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double with four blocks, two steals, and two assists for good measure.

Prior to Dec. 19, the Pistons ranked 18th in defense. In the 34 games since then, they rank fourth and sport the fifth-best net rating in the NBA. There is no reason to discount the incredible impact Ausar Thompson has made as the team’s best perimeter defender, and Isaiah Stewart remains one of the best defensive reserves in the NBA. But none of that matters if Duren isn’t stepping up as the starter his team needs him to be.

Since that last loss to the Jazz, Duren has turned his season around and, with it, potentially his future with the Pistons. Since Dec. 20 (min. 20 games), Duren ranks second among centers in rebounding percentage and true shooting percentage. He’s also communicating better with teammates, blocking more shots, and becoming more comfortable as an off-ball facilitator.

“It was me knowing myself, gotta pick it up if we want to do what we want to do,” he said. “Holding myself accountable and knowing how I can affect the game and coming in there and trying to do that every night,” Duren told the Free Press.

The Perfect Offensive Weapon for Cade​

Duren was seemingly made in a lab as a perfect offensive complement to star guard Cade Cunningham. His size, burst, and soft hands make him an ideal pick-and-roll partner with an elite point guard.

Duren’s 171 dunks this season rank second only behind Giannis Antetokounmpo this season. Of Cade Cunningham’s 535 assists, no one has benefited more than Duren.

That rim pressure also helps open up opportunities for others. In a neat twist, nobody has thrown an assist to Cunningham more than Duren. The attention defenses must pay to him as he rumbles toward the basket also creates opportunities for Cade to finish inside unimpeded and space for the team’s outside shooters to get clean looks at the basket. Without defenses needing to account for Jalen Duren, Malik Beasley isn’t having the best 3-point shooting season of his career and Pistons franchise history.

Becoming an Impact Defender​

His offense has never been a question. Duren’s ceiling as a defender has been in question, however. That question has gotten more pressing as the games have piled on, and big financial decisions will need to be made on whether Duren is part of the long-term future as the Pistons look to build a title-contending team around Cunningham.

In Duren’s rookie year, the Pistons ranked 28th in defensive efficiency. In his second year, they ranked 26th. To make matters worse, the team was significantly worse defensively with Duren at center than when he sat.

The gifts were apparent, and Duren excelled as a rim-running big man. But he had no stretch to his game; he was turnover-prone when he tried to become a facilitator, and he wasn’t someone you could ask to protect the paint.

What kind of investment can a team make in a big man who can’t shoot, pass, or defend? That question was staring the franchise in the face until Duren committed to answering the concerns with his play on the floor this season.

Now, he’s consistently racking up assists from the high post and in the pick-and-roll. He had a stretch of six games recently that saw him dish 34 assists and committed just nine turnovers. Duren has 10 games this season of amassing at least three blocks. In the previous two seasons combined, it only happened 12 times.

Becoming a Core Piece of the Future​

Duren is a huge part of the turnaround in Detroit. His rim pressure is unlocking the offense, and his defensive improvement is allowing the team to go from one of the league’s worst to one of the league’s best.

Cade Cunningham is the foundation on which the core and a contending Pistons team will be built. Who is going to join him? Ausar Thompson is making a case with every steal and basket cut. Jaden Ivey was having a career season before his injury. And Jalen Duren is scoring inside, moving the ball, blocking shots, and defending better than he ever has in his career.

Duren might have been soft early in the season. But he’s firmly planted himself as a fixture of this team going forward. He isn’t going anywhere.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...en-is-letting-you-know-hes-not-going-anywhere

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Submit your questions for The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast

Tune in live Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET to join in on the conversation.

It’s mailbag time!

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

Join us live on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET for the show where we’ll talk through the past week of Pistons’ basketball. What is the highest seed the Pistons can grab in the Eastern Conference playoffs? Has Jalen Duren’s recent play made you comfortable with an extension this offseason? If so, how big of a contract? Where does Cade Cunningham stack up amongst the best players in the East?

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: Thursday March 6 at 6:30 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.

Listen to the show’s recording the following morning wherever you listen to your podcasts.

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Last Week’s Show:​

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/3/4/24377973/pindown-detroit-pistons-podcast

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Clippers GameThread: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Shorthanded Pistons face the shorthanded Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers will be facing the Detroit Pistons on the second night of a back-to-back and down several key contributors. Kawhi Leonard, Norm Powell, and Derrick Jones Jr. are all out for the Clippers. The Pistons will be without two ostensible starters, Jaden Ivey and Tobias Harris. The Pistons are used to life without Ivey, and Ausar Thompson has blossomed into his starting role. With Harris out, they will lean more heavily on Malik Beasley in the starting lineup and rookie Ron Holland off the bench. The Clippers are also, regrettably, familiar with life without Leonard. With Powell and Jones out, it becomes even more of an offense where James Harden has to do a lot of everything to make the pieces work.

Game Vitals

When: 10:30 pm E.T.
Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -3.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (35-27)​

Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren

LA Clippers (32-29)​

James Harden, Kris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanović, Derrick Jones Jr. (day-today), Ivica Zubac

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...lippers-gamethread-game-time-tv-odds-and-more

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Detroit Pistons unable to solve the riddle of James Harden

Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images

Harden drops 50 and shoots 20 free throws as Los Angeles drops Detroit

As Cade Cunningham looks to eventually ascend to the level of superstardom, James Harden delivered the blueprint for how to will your team to a win when they need you most. The Detroit Pistons fell 123-115 to a Los Angeles Clippers team undermanned and on the second night of a back-to-back. It took every bit of Harden’s season-high 50 points to get his team past the surging Pistons.

Cade Cunningham scored 37 points in the loss, adding 10 assists and seven rebounds. Cunningham was 15-of-25 from the floor and 2-of-7 from deep. Harden finished 14-of-24 and 6-of-13 from three. However, the biggest differentiator between the two stars came at the free-throw line. Cade was 5-of-6, a typical night for the ball-dominant point guard. Harden was 16-of-20.

To be clear, there were several reasons the Pistons lost the game in the end. The team shot just 31% from deep while allowing the Clippers to hit 54%. They had no answers for Ivica Zubac’s (22 points) baby hook shots. The team played incredibly small, with Tobias Harris out and Simone Fontecchio struggling in his 14 minutes. The fouls not only put the Clippers at the line, they clearly impacted the way the Pistons felt like they could play defense.

There were plenty of possessions where Detroit defenders were clearly more concerned with not fouling than they were with playing solid individual defense.

It wasn’t that the Pistons weren’t fouling Harden. For example, they egregiously and obviously fouled him twice behind the three-point line in the first quarter.

They were not phantom calls, they were differential calls. The kind of calls superstars spend their early years earning. It’s that when there was contact, Harden was getting the calls. Cade, as Pistons fans are all too familiar, has not learned the tricks or earned the respect of the refs to get to that level.

It was a point Cunningham acknowledged after the game. When he was asked how the Clippers were pull away from what was a back-and-forth game late in the fourth quarter, his response was to the point.

“Get calls.”

While Cunningham was clearly frustrated, it was more grudging respect than grousing over the outcome of the game. Cade is as aware of his career-long inability to coax calls from officials as anyone.

About Harden, Cade said, “He’s one of the best iso scorers the league has ever seen. I can’t put enough respect on his ability to score the ball, the ability to find angles and stuff,” Cunningham said. “Comparing the free throws between us two, I think a lot of that has to do with respect from the refs as far as experience. He’s been in this league killing for a long time. I understand it. I respect it. It’s hard for me to respect getting hit and not getting a call.”

Cunningham hasn’t spent those years in the league, and this is the first season he’s performed at a star (and All-Star level). Cunningham averages 16.9 drives per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA, and second in the league in drives that lead to field goal attempts behind only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He gets to the line about 60% as much as Shai. Cade has taken the third-most shots in the NBA this season but ranks 61st in free-throw attempt rate.

The alchemy of what is a natural instinct, what is learned, and what is earned by your status in the league is unclear, but Cunningham and his coach JB Bickerstaff seem to know that to get this team where they want to go, Cunningham has to get to the free-throw line more, and the Pistons have to earn the right to play tough defense.

Bickerstaff, for one, knows this is a marathon and not a sprint. That is why he isn’t shy about speaking up to the refs and will continually talk about his team’s ability to play the kind of defense he knows is required to win games, especially in the playoffs.

“Give (Harden) a ton of credit, but if you’re not allowed to put your body on him legally, and he is allowed to shoot 20 free throws, you’re not going to be able to guard him,” Bickerstaff said after the game.

Earlier this season, after an extremely chippy game against the Indiana Pacers that saw Isaiah Stewart get ejected, Bickerstaff perfectly summarized his responsibilities as a coach and his goals for his team:

“It is absolutely my responsibility to defend my guys. I will never, ever, stop doing that. Our guys will earn the respect of this league, but it’s my responsibility to defend them. I will always do that. It rubs some people the wrong way, but it doesn’t bother me. What we need, and what this team needs, we have to defend them, to stand up for them.”

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...angeles-clippers-james-harden-cade-cunningham