RSS Pistons Team Notes

[Detroit Pistons]

Under the Hood: Game 26 at Celtics – Smooth Operator

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

Firing on All Cylinders

Last night was a game that showed why Cade Cunningham is top five in the MVP race this year.

Cade finished with 32 points and 10 assists while shooting 11-for-21 from the field and 6-for-10 from deep. He also added to his Clutch Player of the Year resume with four fourth quarter jumpers, including these two late in the game to keep Boston away:

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He is a smooth operator.

Also, in case you missed it, Javonte Green had a poster dunk that’ll be on this season’s highlight reel for years to come.

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Transmission Trouble

It’s a new experience to be able to watch Pistons games nowadays and think about how Detroit’s rotation or playstyle will have to adapt when they’re in the playoffs. Last night was a game where I felt like Duncan Robinson’s defense would’ve played him off of the court in the postseason.

From the start, it looked like Boston was comfortable hunting Robinson in switches to get him matched up with Jaylen Brown.

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It picked up in the second quarter – here Brown has a simple isolation possession and Robinson can’t stick with him.

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Another possession where Jaylen overpowers Duncan.

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The third quarter begins and Boston goes right back to it. In the playoffs, JBB would have to change his switching scheme or put somebody else on the floor that could handle guarding Jaylen Brown.

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Mechanic’s Note

After last night’s six made threes, Cade is up to 32.7% from deep this season on a career-high 6.4 three-point attempts per game. The percentage still isn’t great, and anything 36% or higher would be his best yet, but if he’s hitting off-the-dribble threes like he was last night it’s going to take his game to the next level.

Four of his six threes were pull-up shots as a stepback in isolation or after receiving a screen. Surprisingly, Cade’s average FGA is just slightly below last year despite a career-high in three-point and free throw attempts – yet, he’s averaging a career-high 27.1 points.

By taking less midrange shots and attempting more threes and free throws, Cade is attempting more efficient shots. He could easily become a 30-PPG-scorer once his three-point efficiency reaches that reasonable 36% (or higher).

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Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pist...r-the-hood-game-26-at-celtics-smooth-operator

 

[Detroit Pistons]

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

The Detroit Pistons face off against the Boston Celtics for the third time this season, with each team taking one game in the series. The Pistons won the first matchup by six and lost the second by three. The difference in each game? Boston’s three-point shooting. The Celtics tend to live and die by the three. In their loss to the Pistons, Boston hit just 15 of 45 threes (33%). In their win against Detroit, Boston hit 20 of 45 (46%).

Boston also somehow lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, the same Bucks team that then lost to the Brooklyn Nets by 45 points. The NBA season can seem crazy, but a lot of it can be explained by three-point variance. The Pistons have used a stout defense to propel them to an Eastern Conference-best 20-5 record. Again, though, there is 3-point variance to consider. The Pistons are allowing opponents to hit 32% from the left corner (second-best in the league). It’s a different story on the right corner. They allow a league-worst 46.5%.

The game tonight is a national game available on Peacock.

Game Vitals​

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Watch: Peacock, Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons +1.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (20-5)​

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

Boston Celtics (15-10)​

Peyton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jordan Walsh, Neemias Queta

Question of the Game​

What will be the three-point shooting for each team?

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

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Detroit Pistons, Jaden Ivey are trying to figure out the future together

Travel with me back in time when what, in the moment, seemed like a largely insignificant night for a largely insignificant team. The date was November 4, 2024, and the then-middling Pistons knocked off a play-in caliber Los Angeles Lakers group that was still a few months away from stealing Luka Doncic. Considering all the amazing things that have happened since, the win streaks, playoff moments, and white hot start this season, why circle back to a gloomy, Monday night in November that brought the Pistons’ record to 3-5?

You see, it’s not about the result of that game, but about how the team played that night. Simply put, it was one of the most recent, and frankly, one of the few examples of what an offense built around Detroit’s young backcourt of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey could look like when it’s humming. During crunch time of this particular evening, Cunningham and Ivey seemed to feed off of one another. Multiple times, they set each other up for easy baskets. They took turns attacking Austin Reaves in the pick and roll, creating one great shot after another as Detroit pulled away late. By night’s end, Cade had notched a triple-double, and Ivey led the Pistons with 26 points as the team enjoyed outstanding production from its young backcourt. I remember thinking that this must have been what Troy Weaver had envisioned when he selected Ivey fifth overall in the 2022 NBA draft, pairing him with Cunningham.

Unfortunately, we all know how that story has since unfolded. Ivey broke his fibula eight weeks later, cutting his breakout season short, and missing Detroit’s out-of-nowhere mid-winter surge and subsequent playoff run. Then, he missed most of training camp after undergoing knee surgery. He did not make his debut until late November. Since returning, he has been on a minutes restriction and has come off the bench in all games that he’s appeared. And while, yes, the minutes restriction has been a factor, the truth of the matter is that when injuries to Detroit’s starting lineup have occurred, the former lottery pick has been passed over for both Danis Jenkins and Caris Levert in the starting lineup. Furthermore, fellow young players such as Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren have become worthy of higher usage in their own right, pushing Ivey down the pecking order. Although it was not his fault, the team has surged, and individual player development has elevated other members of the young core into larger roles since the last time Ivey was considered perhaps the second-most-important young Piston behind Cunningham. And it’s fair to wonder if the flashes from that November night of the Purdue product being a bonafine number two alongside Cade will always only be flashes and fleeting memories.

Since his return, minutes restriction aside, Ivey and the Pistons look like they’ve been mired in an awkward dance together. Painfully, it carries some resemblance to his role during the team’s year under Monty Williams’ tutelage. Other guards, such as Levert, Jenkins, and Thompson, often spend more time on the ball, while Ivey is often relegated to standing in the corner during most actions. When he does get the ball, it is clear that the fourth-year guard is pressing, eager to make a play, and often looks sped up. He appears uncertain about his role, and it seems that his teammates have been slow to adjust to playing with him since his return. It’s a touchy situation for a team that has been rolling without him. They do not want to disrupt what’s been working during this stretch while simultaneously trying to preserve a young player’s confidence and let him rediscover his burst and athleticism in the process. From an outside view, it seems that the feeling out process has lasted longer than anticipated, and has been filled with short stints in games, and inconsistent rotation patterns for the young guard. Perhaps the greatest issue, however, is the fact that the Pistons and Ivey are no closer to gaining clarity on their long-term compatibility together. The reality is that both sides are running out of time to figure it out.

At his best, it is clear what the 23-year-old Indiana native brings that the Pistons need. He shoots the three at a high clip, particularly on a catch-and-shoot basis. Additionally, he is highly effective in both the pick and roll and in isolation situations, as he’s able to get into the paint at will. Once there, he draws fouls at a high rate and is great in transition, both skills coveted by nearly every organization in the league. In theory, Ivey is exactly what the Pistons were missing in their first-round exit to the Knicks. A secondary creator around Cade who can relieve the pressure on him by getting his own at all three levels, while simultaneously providing spacing for the Pistons star when he probes and attacks. As great as both Duren and Thompson have been this year, neither can fit that full description. Neither is capable of consistently getting their own shot in crunch time. Both are non-shooters, thus allowing defenses to sag off of them, and bog down spacing. As we’ve seen in the playoffs and at times this season, this can make things clunky for Cunningham as he attracts extra attention from defenders cheating off non-shooters.

Ivey, or at least the idea of Ivey, changes everything. He can spot up, take his turns initiating offense, and attack open driving lanes that become available due to the attention on Cunningham. If this idea becomes a reality, then the team has a whole other offensive gear to reach without changing the roster at all. If Ivey’s impact continues to be more theoretical than tangible, the team will need to begin considering the reality that the second scorer they need may not yet be on the roster.

The clock is ticking. After failing to reach an extension this fall, his contract situation is now the elephant in the room as we get ready to turn the calendar to 2026. The team faces a dilemma in the sense that the roster is set to get a whole lot more expensive next summer. Jalen Duren has been playing his way into borderline max contract territory, and extensions for guys like Thompson and Ron Holland are also coming due sooner than later. If Ivey does not look to be an integral piece, the team cannot afford to pay him more than what he is potentially worth to them. On the other side of the coin, his talent is undeniable, and there’s a reason so many teams tried to trade up to get him on draft night. If the Pistons don’t view him as a long-term member of their core, then they may need to seriously consider trading him prior to the deadline to avoid losing him for nothing or overpaying him just to not lose him.

With that in mind, the team has only a couple of months to truly evaluate whether this can work. They’d be doing a disservice to themselves in not only giving Ivey more minutes, but greater opportunities to play alongside Cade, and operate with the ball in his hands more. Only then will we be able to see once and for all if this backcourt can impact winning, or if it is better in theory. The longer they wait, the fewer chances they will have before the clock runs out.

What do you think of Jaden Ivey’s current role with the team?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...-are-trying-to-figure-out-the-future-together

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Javonte Green is That Guy

If Detroit sports fans love anything, it’s a great role player.

The city’s sports identity is basically built on guys who weren’t flashy, weren’t chasing headlines, and just showed up and did the work. The Red Wings had Darren McCarty. The Tigers had Don Kelly. The Pistons have had a ton, too, with guys like John Salley, Lindsey Hunter and Corliss Williamson.

If this season keeps trending toward something magical, Javonte Green may soon earn a spot on that list.

Monday night’s win over the Celtics was a perfect snapshot of what Green gives the Pistons. With Cade Cunningham in foul trouble and Boston surging late, Green checked in and flipped the script — steadying Detroit, making the right plays and helping slam the door.

He nailed a three to push the lead to 8 — after Boston cut it to 3 on the foul that send Cade to the bench — and put an exclamation point on his stint with the most exciting play of the game on this dunk after a steal:

JAVONTE GREEN RISE UP

OH MY GOODNESS.

pic.twitter.com/5jSP0rOy7o

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 16, 2025

Outside of Cade’s smoooooooth spin-to-stepback jumper that iced the game, this may have been the play of the game. Every 5-man lineup Green was part of last night had a +/- in the green. He scored just 8 points, but you could feel his impact. It’s the kind of shit that ignites a team and helps shift momentum all on its own.

That’s kind of becoming Green’s M.O. with the Pistons.

A late-summer signing, Green felt like just a depth piece. An emergency body in case injuries struck, but one who fit the identity — a gritty, defense-first dawg with some attitude.

Initially, that’s what he was. The Pistons battled a plethora of injuries early on, and as they sprinted to 13-straight wins, Green played a huge part. For six games in November, he was a key contributor, starting three games and playing big minutes while averaging 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2 stocks per game on 47% shooting.

The Pistons won all six games, and he made it extremely hard for J.B. Bickerstaff to take him out of the rotation.

Green isn’t the type of guy who will lead you to the promise land. He’s only averaging 6.7 points per game and he’s a limited offensive player. On a bad team, he’s not this guy. But on a good (maybe great) one, he is.

Green won’t single-handedly win a game. But his defense and athleticism — with the occasional 3-pointer — can help shift a game in your favor. He’s the kind of Swiss Army Knife you want in your back pocket, the kind of disruptor you need in the playoffs.

I would not be surprised if, come April, the Pistons win a playoff game simply because Green came in and gave them a huge boost in the second half that may have been getting away from them.

He’s just that kind of guy, and in Detroit, there’s always a home for one.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detroit-pistons-analysis/48651/javonte-green-is-that-guy

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Mavericks preview: There is zero quit in this team

In the first matchup between these squads in Mexico City, the Pistons were still figuring it out, and the Mavericks were playing a game of Frankenstein.

Jason Kidd was attempting to mix and match parts that don’t fit, but things are steadying out for a Mavericks team a few games from play-in contention (the bottom half of the West is weak). The Pistons, on the other hand, continue to respond in games.

If you’re a non-believer, there is usually a portion of a Pistons game that would make one say, “See, I told you they aren’t for real.” Non-believers and their sentiments about the Pistons mean nothing because Detroit continues to prove they are a resilient bunch, time and time again.

Game Vitals​

When: 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: American Airlines Arena, Dallas, Texas

Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit

Odds: Pistons (-5.5)

Analysis​

Teams give it their best shot to go on runs and close out Detroit, but their never die attitude shines bright. The Boston Celtics trimmed the lead in the last outing, but the Pistons kept responding like a level-headed championship-level team in the closing period. Cade closed them out with a disgusting spin-around jumper. That was a moment.

The Mavericks don’t present the same issues the Celtics did. The Mavs are 24th in 3PT frequency and 28th in accuracy. The Celtics made 20 3s when they snapped the Pistons’ winning streak. The Mavs haven’t shown they have that firepower on a consistent basis.

What they can do is play through their 2025 first overall pick, Cooper Flagg. The point guard experiment has come to an end — Flagg is on the wing where he belongs, and the results have been intriguing.

Since a ballhandler began starting next to Flagg on November 5th, Flagg is averaging 20 points, six boards, four assists, 1.5 steals, and almost a block a game. The 3-point shooting hasn’t been all that, but Flagg is shooting a monster 58% from 2-point range.

It’s safe to say he’s arrived after becoming the youngest player to drop 40 bomb earlier this month. Brandon Williams and D’Angelo Russell are questionable to go in this one. Even if they don’t play, Ryan Nembhard has been plenty good as the lead ball handler.

Flagg has helped the Mavericks go from worst team in the league to play-in hopeful territory (5-5 over last 10), but they’re still the 28th-ranked offense. The Pistons stifle the best offenses, so the Mavs are in for an ugly one tonight.

Jaden Ivey’s on-ball defense was impressive against the Celtics. Ivey was sturdy and routinely stonewalled offensive players, stopping them dead in their tracks. Ivey’s active hands caused him to get his fingertips on a few balls, too.

If this is the Ivey we’re going to get post-injury, I’m all here for it — him turning into a legit on-ball pest is best for this team and his individual future.

The Mavs don’t have the creators or kick-out options to hunt suspect defenders like Boston did. That’s not to downplay Klay Thompson, who’s shot the ball much better over the last eight games (45% on 8.3 3PA). Max Christie has shot it well, too.

2012 first overall pick Anthony Davis is questionable in this one. He missed the first matchup, and we missed out on a great gauge game for Jalen Duren. Duren has cooled down a bit after his offensive surge to begin the year, but AD presents another challenge if he suits up.

There are three 1st overall picks in this game; there would be four if Kyrie Irving were active. With all the great talent and high draft picks on the floor, none compares to Cade this year. He’s been clutch, less turnover-prone, and is finally getting that star whistle.

Cade is averaging 7.5 free throws a game, which is a career high. The 4th most frequent driver in the league is finally getting awarded for his pedal-to-the-metal driving attack.

We’re close to that 5-game West Coast road trip. Detroit sits at 21-5, and teams in the East who were supposed to be contenders are cratering (Cleveland looks bad, injuries aren’t an excuse anymore)

The New York Knicks remain steady and on the Pistons’ heels, but no team has put together a better stretch of games than Detroit, and they’re just getting the whole band together. The sky is the limit.

Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (21-5): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Dallas Mavericks (10-17): Ryan Nembhard, Naji Marshall, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, Anthony Davis

Question of the day:​

Would you be disappointed if the Pistons don’t remain the one seed in the Eastern Conference?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...ricks-preview-there-is-zero-quit-in-this-team

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons at Mavericks final score: Detroit’s comeback falls short in OT loss

So, that was a crazy game.

The Detroit Pistons lost in overtime tonight to Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks in a game that featured a little bit of everything. There were (wrongful) ejections, a rotation that went thirteen deep, and an 18-point Detroit comeback to take a fourth quarter lead.

Detroit couldn’t hold their lead late as Isaiah Stewart missed one of two free throws to tie the game at 110 to head to overtime.

Dallas won the first quarter, but the Pistons were able to reclaim the lead near the halfway point of the second. Yet, that’s when things got bad.

Ausar Thompson was ejected for the first time in his career after making contact with an official. It’s hard to tell, but it looks like he slightly bumps the referee – though, this certainly didn’t look ejection worthy.

Ausar just got ejected for this?!?!?

WHAT????? pic.twitter.com/q21KHZFMHN

— Pistons Jack (@pistons_jack) December 19, 2025

The referees followed this up with technical fouls for Cade Cunningham and JB Bickerstaff.

Dallas led by nine heading into halftime and eventually had an 18-point lead with four minutes left in the third quarter. That’s when JBB went deep into his bench rotation and got a spark from Daniss Jenkins, Marcus Sasser, Javonte Green, and Paul Reed.

Detroit even led 109-106 with a minute left in the fourth, but back-to-back Cooper Flagg buckets and an Isaiah Stewart free throw is what took the game in overtime. The Pistons just didn’t have enough of that comeback magic to overcome that extra five minutes of basketball.

To add onto the questionable Ausar ejection, Detroit shot 20 free throws while Dallas shot 36. Detroit was called for seven extra fouls and had six different players with at least three fouls in tonight’s game.

Cade Cunningham almost had a triple double, but he and Jalen Duren also combined to shoot 20-for-50 from the field for 46 total points. Detroit had a total of 122 field goal attempts but only shot 38.5% so everyone left plenty of open looks on the court. I also understand needing to go deeper into your bench after Ausar getting ejected, but do we really need to go 13-deep?

In what would’ve been a great comeback win, the Detroit Pistons are now 21-6 and will play their next game Saturday night at home against the Charlotte Hornets.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...core-detroits-comeback-falls-short-in-ot-loss

 

[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. Submit your question to the comments section here or on X/Twitter to @TheRealWesD3 and/or @blakesilverman.

Join us live on Saturday morning for the show where we’ll discuss the Pistons’ week of games. How big was the Celtics win and how tough was the Mavericks loss? What do the Pistons need to do over their upcoming West Coast road trip? If Detroit makes a move during the season, what player archetype should Trajan Langdon prioritize?

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 December 20 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.

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

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Under the Hood: Game 27 at Mavs

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

Firing on All Cylinders

There were some pretty exciting buckets last night.

Cade had two monster dunks – one lob from Ausar in transition and one poster on Anthony Davis.

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Ron continues to show off his potential as a finisher with two incredibly strong layups at the rim over AD.

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And Jalen Duren continues his Bam Adebayo arc with two pull-up 20ft midrange jumpers in this one.

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Transmission Trouble

JB Bickerstaff was unhappy with the referees last night, and it’s probably safe to assume many Pistons fans feel the same way. He let the world know what went down with his interactions with them:

J.B. Bickerstaff on tonight’s officiating:

“A referee makes a comment to me about, ‘night by night, this is how our interactions are.’ So that says to me that the referee is coming into the game not being objective.” pic.twitter.com/rUDnq5s6dZ

— Hunter Patterson (@HunterPatterson) December 19, 2025

If he wants evidence to support his claim, I’ve got some.

Cade is starting to drive to his left after being a defender to draw a foul while attempting a floater. At the beginning of the third quarter, he’s able to get in front of Naji Marshall and then attempt the layup while absorbing the contact to get the and-one to fall.

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We miss a little of the beginning of the final possession, but Cade goes right back to the same attempt at the end of the game – and frankly, there’s way more contact from Cooper Flagg here than there was from Naji Marshall earlier. Anthony Davis’ arms are all over Jalen Duren after the rebound, too. No calls, though.

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Mechanic’s Note

I wish the organization was more upfront about player injuries.

I understand wanting to keep medical information private, but from a fan perspective, it helps give us understanding and context to a player’s situation. Sasser missed a big chunk of the beginning of the season to an injury that we knew little about, and now Jaden Ivey’s minutes restriction is starting to be questioned.

He is on a minutes restriction, right?

In a game where JB Bickerstaff played thirteen players, including third-string guards Daniss Jenkins and Marcus Sasser, it makes you wonder why Jaden Ivey only got 14 minutes. He had eight points and made two of his four threes – one of the only Pistons players who shot it well from deep last night.

Ivey has played in 12 games now since his return from his broken leg last year and he’s averaging 15 minutes per game. Is that his limit? Has the medical team given him 15 minutes a game? Only three of his 12 games have seen him get more than 16 minutes. If he is on a restriction, when is it lifted? What does the training staff need to see first?

Per 36 minutes, Ivey is averaging 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists. He’s shooting 45% from the field and 35% from deep while increasing his volume – his 3PA per 36 minutes is at a career-high 7.4 attempts.

All this to say: this team could use a scorer like Ivey and I hope to see his minutes increase soon.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pistons-videos/48695/under-the-hood-game-27-at-mavs

 

[Detroit Pistons]

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

Tonight, the Detroit Pistons will apparently get an up-close-and-personal look at Anthony Davis, the Dallas Mavericks big man the team is interested in, if you fall for all the NBA star trade reports embezzeled through various members of the NBA’s elite media. I don’t buy it. Davis is good when healthy, but he’s not really what the Pistons need — shooting and reliability. It is also a chance to look at the emerging rookie Cooper Flagg, who became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 or more points — a loss to the Jazz on Monday. Apparently, 42 points was about 10 points away from what he needed to deliver to will the struggling Mavs to a victory.

The Pistons are riding high, first in the Eastern Conference and riding a four-game win streak. They currently sport the second-best defense in the NBA and one of the most potent benches in the NBA. They are bottom-10 in minutes played off the bench, but are third in steals generated (4.3 per game ), third in blocks (2.5), and fifth in offensive rebound percentage. They are doing the dirty work.

Game Vitals​

When: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: American Airlines Arena, Dallas, Texas
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -5.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (21-5)​

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

Dallas Mavericks (10-17)​

Ryan Nembhard, Naji Marshall, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, Anthony Davis

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

 

[Detroit Pistons]

3-Man Fastbreak: Back on Track

The Detroit Pistons have rattled off four straight wins after their slowest stretch of the season, a period that saw them lose three of five games and miss out on the NBA Cup. The brief rest that followed appears to have paid dividends, as Detroit dismantled a gritty Atlanta squad before grinding out an impressive road win in Boston on Monday.

Three takeaways from the last week of winning:

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1. How clutch has Cade been?​

We know who the Pistons are going to in crunch time, but just how good has Cade Cunningham been when it matters most this season?

His two made shots in the final two minutes against Boston were a microcosm of what we’ve seen, dating back to the middle of last season.

Through 16 clutch games this season, Cunningham is firmly among the league’s best. His 26 made field goals in clutch situations trail only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — an incredible note considering how many fourth quarters Shai hasn’t needed to play. Cunningham’s 12 clutch assists rank second, behind only Jalen Johnson (15), while Detroit owns a +43 point differential with Cade on the floor in those moments, good for seventh-best in the NBA.

The one area for improvement is outside shooting. Cunningham is just 1-for-8 from three in clutch situations this season. While the Pistons have other options when a three is needed, Cade taking another step in that area would truly be the cherry on top.

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2. Defense, too?​

Cunningham’s stellar — and somehow still quiet — start to the season deserves another spotlight, particularly for his work on the defensive end.

In ESPN’s most recent NBA power rankings, where Detroit was slotted second overall, Vincent Goodwill noted that opponents are shooting under 41% when Cunningham is the primary defender. That mark leads all NBA players with at least 300 field-goal attempts defended.

For a player who ranks fifth in usage rate entering Thursday, Cunningham’s two-way impact is especially impressive. Detroit as a team owns the second-best defensive rating in the league, trailing only Oklahoma City, and has been near the top for much of the season. Cade’s growth as a defender is a testament to the culture of defense and physicality JB Bickerstaff has established but also to him for wanting to be a two-way star.

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3. LeVert vs. Ivey​

Detroit brought in Caris LeVert during the offseason to provide much-needed veteran presence and scoring after losing Dennis Schröder, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Malik Beasley. It took some time for LeVert to find his footing, but he now looks comfortable within the rotation.

Since Jaden Ivey’s return, LeVert’s minutes haven’t dipped much, hovering around 20 per night — nearly identical to Ivey’s workload now and Dannis Jenkins has essentially been bodied out of the rotation due to the influx of depth.

With both players likely to maintain similar roles the rest of the season, it will be interesting to see how Bickerstaff staggers their minutes or experiments with playing them together more. Each brings something different to the table: LeVert as a steady half-court scorer and shooter, and Ivey as a dynamic offensive spark on or off the ball, especially in transition. It’s a good problem to have, but something to monitor.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detroit-pistons-analysis/48678/3-man-fastbreak-back-on-track

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Under the Hood: Game 28 vs Hornets

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

Firing on All Cylinders

The Detroit Pistons rolled the Charlotte Hornets last night where every Detroit starter scored at least 14 points.

Cade Cunningham – 22 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals

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Duncan Robinson – 15 points, three rebounds, and four made threes

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Ausar Thompson – 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals, and four blocks

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Tobias Harris – 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists

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Jalen Duren – 19 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists

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Transmission Trouble

Jaden Ivey was the only rotation player to have a negative +/- last night. He finished -14 in a game the Pistons won by 26. For comparison, Cade finished at a team-high +33.

I know +/- doesn’t tell the whole story, and Ivey didn’t exceed more than 14 minutes on the court once again, but it was a rough game for JI. He scored five points while shooting 2-for-6 from the field, missing all three of his three-point attempts.

His skillset feels slightly redundant next to Caris LeVert as an off-the-bench combo guard, but I feel the starting lineup needs the shooting and gravity that Duncan Robinson brings behind the arc.

Ivey is currently the most polarizing Detroit player in regards to his future on the roster, and I wonder what Trajan Langdon and the front office has planned over the next few months leading up to the trade deadline.

Mechanic’s Note

This team needs more shooters.

They have one guy I would classify as a “shooter,” a bunch of guys who can make a three, and a bunch of guys whose shooting isn’t feared by opposing teams.

Detroit has two players (Duncan, Cade) who are attempting at least six three-pointers per game. Ten teams only have one player while the Grizzlies have none.

The Pistons rank 28th in the league in 3PM, 27th in 3PA, and 21st in 3PT%. Yet, they’re 1st in 2PM and 4th in 2PA. They’re 5th in FTM and 3rd in FTA while being 28th in FT%.

My worries about this team and their playstyle arrive when I think about the playoffs. They’re a team whose identity is defense, transition, and bully ball underneath the rim. We’ve seen the struggles already when teams switch to zone, and it becomes a little embarrassing when Detroit can’t shoot the other team back into man defense. Even though they’re getting fouled frequently, they’re efficiency from the free throw line isn’t where it needs to be.

I think Trajan Langdon will have to make a deal by the deadline to bring in more shooting, specifically in the front court – and we’ll probably see some sort of consolidation of the young pieces to get it done.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pistons-videos/48721/under-the-hood-game-28-vs-hornets

 

[Detroit Pistons]

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

The Detroit Pistons get one more home game to show their fans how special the year 2025 has been. Last season, the Pistons finished strong and cemented a historic season that saw them win three times as many games as the season prior. This season, they have the second-most wins in the NBA, including the best record in the Eastern Conference. After tonight, Detorit has five more games in 2025, but they are all on the road.

Detroit’s opponent will be the Charlotte Hornets, a team that is just 9-18, but has won two in a row — one against the Cleveland Cavaliers and another against the Atlanta Hawks. The Hornets have achieved the majority of their wins for the season in the past nine games (5 wins). They have evened out a leaky defense and are starting to understand where they can generate reliable offense — most notably rookie Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Brandon Miller.

The Pistons struggled in an extremely tough loss to the Dallas Mavericks by not being able to hit anything from outside. It didn’t help that Detroit was without Duncan Robinson for the majority of the game, after he experienced some knee pain. However, the Pistons best (only?) reliable shooter is expected to be back in the lineup against the Hornets.

Detroit also had a terrible time with the refs — Ausar Thompson was ejected extremely early courtesy of a hair-trigger decision by the lead official. Cade Cunningham and JB Bickerstaff were also hit with technicals, and there were some questionable and important calls late that went against the Pistons.

Bickerstaff was so fed up, he called out the officials by name. Which, good. Also, it feels like the Pistons have typically responded well to a bit of adversity this season. We will see if they can lock in for all 48 minutes against the Hornets.

Game Vitals​

When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: NBA TV and Fan Duel Sports Network
Odds: Pistons -10.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (21-6)​

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

Charlotte Hornets (9-18)​

LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, Ryan Kalkbrenner

Question of the Game​

If the Pistons find out that the additional shooter they need is already on their roster, who will that shooter be?

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

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Trailblazers preview: Time for the West Coast road trip

The five-game West Coast trip is here. The Portland Trailblazers are first on the clock. The Detroit Pistons have no problem walking into anybody’s crib and kicking their feet up. The Pistons are a conference-best 9-4 on the road. They look to carry the momentum from a dominant Charlotte Hornets performance into Portland.

The Blazers and Hornets are in similar positions, but ultimately are different teams. Both squads want to make the play-in at least, but there is a little more juice in Portland. We know Deni Avdija is playing at an All-Star level and gets the whistle to match (14-15 FT on 12/5). He’s a tough cover, but you don’t sweat anybody when you’re a top-2 defense.

We’re closing in on Christmas Day, and Detroit remains top dog out East and one of the most balanced teams overall. They could potentially get two All-Stars for the first time since the Goin to Work era. What a time.

Game Vitals​

When: 10:00 p.m. ET

Where: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon

Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit

Odds: Pistons (-5.5)

Analysis​

I hammer home about the Pistons defense so much because it’s really a special group. The combination of elite on-ball defenders and rim protection is a championship formula. They have the No. 1 half-court defense per Cleaning the Glass. That bodes well for the playoffs.

The Thunder get a lot of pub for their defensive personnel, but Detroit has a slew of greats, too. The Thunder have eight players with a Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus of 1.0 or better. That’s super elite, but Detroit is in the ballpark.

Ausar Thompson: +3.0 (98th %tile)

Ron Holland: +2.8 (98th)

Javonte Green: +1.8 (94th)

Jalen Duren: +1.3 (90th)

Cade Cunnigham: +1.3 (89th)

Isaiah Stewart: +1.3 (88th)

Any stat that has Stew this low as a defender isn’t the end-all be-all (no stat is actually), but this paints a clear picture illustrating Detroit’s elite individual defenders. Duren has grown a ton as a team defender, and Cade has too, while showing on-ball stopper chops.

The rest of the players on that list are matchup nightmares for offensive weapons. Who on earth would be excited that Ausar is hounding them 94 feet?

These are the type of guys Avdija will need to go through to reach his career-high averages across the board. He got his in the earlier Pistons matchup, but there was a lot of Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant down the stretch.

Sharpe has the potential to be an explosive scorer. His pogo stick bounce pops every game, and he’s an elite finisher at the rim. He has to figure out the jumpshot stuff, but he’s shooting 55% from 3 on 5.4 attempts over the last seven games. He’ll be high on the scouting report tonight.

The Blazers have juice, but they don’t have *the guys* on the floor tonight. The last time the Pistons had two or more All-Stars was 2008. Big Shot, Rip, and Sheed represented Detroit in New Orleans.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren could both make it this year. Cade is a lock. Duren’s quick start has slowed down a bit, but coaches value winning. The Pistons did their work early and still sit atop the East. Cade is an MVP-level player, but Duren is super impactful himself.

The counting stats are there (18/11 double-double), the advanced stats love him (+3.5 EPM), and wins have always mattered. The format changed again, so we’ll see if that helps or hurts Duren, but a 22-6 team has a case for two deserving All-Stars.

Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (22-6): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Portland Trailblazers (12-16): Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Jerami Grant (questionable), Donovan Clingan

Question of the day​

Where is Cade on your MVP ballot today?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...ers-preview-time-for-the-west-coast-road-trip

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Kings preview: Detroit looks to avoid disappointment on back-to-back

It’s pretty simple, really. The Sacramento Kings are at the bottom of the standings in the Western Conference, and the Detroit Pistons are at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Pistons field the second-best defense in the NBA, and the Kings have the second-worst defense. Detroit is in the top five in net rating, while Sacramento is second from last. The Pistons are better than the Kings and should win the game. Of course, so were the Houston Rockets, and they just fell to the Kings in overtime on Sunday night.

Game Vitals​

When: 10 p.m. ET
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -9

Analysis​

The Kings bested the Rockets courtesy of our old friend, Dennis Schröder, who hit a game-wining 3-pointer in overtime. He scored 24 points in total, matching his high for the season in his first year in Sacramento. The lineups are getting weird for Doug Christie over in Sactown as he looks for anything that makes his mishmashed roster actually make sense.

Keegan Murray played nearly 47 minutes, DeMar DeRozan played 40, and Russell Westbrook played 29 (scoring 21 points on 24 shots). Meanwhile, Schröder played 31 minutes off the bench while Malik Monk and Keon Ellis played a combined 13, and only had one basket and four shots between them.

Still, a win is a win, and Sacramento will take them in any way they can get them. The Pistons will be looking to stave off disappointment — the kind that can come when you’re traveling on the road on the second night of a back-to-back.

It probably does not shock you that I have not made time for many Sacramento games this season, so I did a bit of a dive into what they are uniquely bad at that the Pistons will attempt to exploit. The number screams off the page.

The Pistons must own the paint, and the Kings are often happy to oblige in that. They surrender 55.2 points per game inside and are a bottom-four team in rebounding on both ends of the floor. Considering the kind of damage both Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson were able to inflict on another terrible interior opponent in the Blazers, the young Detroit duo could be in for another huge night.

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (23-6)​

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

Sacramento Kings (7-22)​

Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, Precious Achiuwa, Maxime Raynaud

Question of the Game​

When Cade Cunningham sits, what is the ideal five-man lineup for the Detroit Pistons?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...looks-to-avoid-disappointment-on-back-to-back

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs Kings final score: Detroit stops another comeback effort

The Pistons win again! This team is the No. 2 defense, but they can apparently scorch teams with over 70 points in a half, too. Detroit is one of the few teams that are a top 10 offense and defense, and they put it all on display against an overmatched Sacramento Kings squad.

The Kings fought to make this a competitive game. It’s the NBA, you aren’t going to blow a team out automatically because you were up by 20 at a point. It’s impressive how Detroit weathers every storm. They didn’t blow this lead tonight.

The Pistons had their track shoes on in the first quarter. They battled with DeMar DeRozan, who is still getting it done. Jumpers, up fakes, pivots, you name it. DeRozan is still a veteran bucket getter, but Detroit was too much.

Detroit flew up and down the court and manned the paint in the first quarter. They scored 11 fast break points to the Kings’ two.

Jalen Duren got some paint buckets to get it started, but Isaiah Stewart didn’t fumble the baton when it was his turn to post. Stew’s rim finishing has been great, and tonight was no different.

It doesn’t hurt when shots fall either. Cade got in rhythm, knocking down two first-quarter threes. Not ideal for Sacramento. For the game, Cade notched another double-double with 23 points and 14 assists. The efficiency is where you’d want it to be as well (6/10 2P 2/5 3P 5/6 FT).

Tobias Harris got in on the fun in transition and was a killer in key spots. The offense was overly flowing the whole first half. This was one of those halves where a contender shows a team its levels to this. It honestly seemed like Detroit was going to get 100 in the first half.

Ausar Thompson is getting fed up with the lack of calls he’s getting. Ausar picked up a T in the second after getting hammered and not getting a call.

It’s interesting seeing the quote-unquote quite twin showing more emotion as of late. Can’t say I don’t like it. He was fired up and was a double-digit scorer before halftime (19 points for the game, and his middy looks money sometimes).

Sacramento trimmed the lead to 17 at halftime. DeRozan is a tough cover. He was the only double-digit scorer for the Kings through two quarters (23).

The Kings wouldn’t send their loyal fans home without some effort. This was an 11-point game three minutes into the third. Duren wasn’t concerned with said effort. Duren was quick to the rim, where he played cleanup man and caught lobs. He was steady when Sacramento began cutting into the lead. Detroit moves to 11-0 when Duren scores 20. He’s pretty important.

Every time DeRozan would make something out of nothing, Detroit would hit back on the other end. In the middle of the 3rd, Duren hit Jaden Ivey and Stew for 3s on consecutive possessions, matching the Kings’ buckets.

Precious Achiuwa had a potential momentum swinging jam over Stew, but Stew hit another cold-blooded 3 the next time down. The Pistons countering the Kings at every turn could deflate upcoming opponents.

Any momentum the Kings had by the end of the 3rd was gone (until their late run). Stew and Tobias were carving them up with high-low actions, Caris LeVert flexed his sticky fingers defensively, and Javonte Green ripped a transition triple and dunked over two Kings to stretch the lead to 112-95.

Ivey got called for a flopping call shortly after that Green slam. I’m not certain if he flopped or not, but we see way more egregious sell jobs than that every night. He died on the screen, but it didn’t look like that warranted a flopping call on first look.

Back to the basketball stuff, Detroit entered the 4th up big, but the fighting Kings stayed in it. With about three and a half minutes to go, Sacramento trimmed the game to 10 after a smooth Nique Clifford midrange jumper.

Tobias matched that shot with a bucket, but DeRozan kept the pressure up on the other end. He put on a shotmaking clinic, finishing with 37 points, shooting 7/12 on jumpers.

With under a minute to go, Hack-a-Sur was deployed, but the 54% FT shooter stepped up and made some big ones. This turned into a free-throw contest down the stretch, and the Pistons prevailed. I should note that the Kings shot 37 FTs to Detroit’s 26, but that didn’t matter—another one in the win column.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...l-score-detroit-stops-another-comeback-effort

 

[Detroit Pistons]

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

It’s pretty simple, really. The Sacramento Kings are at the bottom of the standings in the Western Conference, and the Detroit Pistons are at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Pistons field the second-best defense in the NBA, and the Kings have the second-worst defense. Detroit is in the top five in net rating, while Sacramento is second from last. The Pistons are better than the Kings and should win the game. Of course, so were the Houston Rockets, and they just fell to the Kings in overtime on Sunday night.

Game Vitals​

When: 10 p.m. ET
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -9

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (23-6)​

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

Sacramento Kings (7-22)​

Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, Precious Achiuwa, Maxime Raynaud

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

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Under the Hood: Game 30 at Kings

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

Firing on All Cylinders

The Pistons had three players (Tobias, Cade, Duren) with 20+ points last night, and it would’ve been four if Ausar made one more free throw. Here are some of my favorite plays from last night:

In the point guard role, Ausar makes a mean right-to-left crossover that draws the attention of most of the Kings defenders. This won’t show up in the box score, but he’s the reason Tobias got a wide open three on this possession.

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Cade with a Smooth Operator bucket from the midrange.

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And a coast-to-coast steal and and-one layup to start the fourth quarter.

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Duren continues to make a strong impact off the bounce.

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And I loved this possession out of him in the short roll – instantly read the defense and saw that Stew would be open in the corner.

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Transmission Trouble

There were way too many Cade turnovers last night.

Some of them were inaccurate passes.

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Some were from the double teams that Sacramento was sending at him.

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Mechanic’s Note

I really enjoyed a possession where Ausar did his best DeMar DeRozan impression right over DeMar himself.

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Later on in the fourth, Ausar walked down his sagging defender to the elbow where he confidently knocked down 15-foot jumper.

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He’s getting to his spots!

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pistons-videos/48782/under-the-hood-game-30-at-kings

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Under the Hood: Game 29 at Trail Blazers

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

Firing on All Cylinders

Ausar Thompson put on an incredibly versatile offensive performance last night, and he did it without making a jumpshot.

He was putting defenders on posters as the roll man in the pick-and-roll.

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He was attacking the rim as the ballhandler in an inverted pick-and-roll with Cade. Portland guarded Ausar with centers Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III, so Cade setting this deep screen allows Ausar to get to the rim without Clingan contesting him.

I want to see more inverted pick-and-rolls with Ausar and Cade.

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He attacked Portland’s centers when they sagged off of him – this is a nasty Euro step for two points.

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He clamped up Shaedon Sharpe full court for a steal and dunk in clutch time.

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He put the dagger in the Portland comeback with a tip dunk over Donovan Clingan with a minute left in the game.

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Transmission Trouble

I’ve mentioned Jaden Ivey a couple times recently in Under the Hood, but he had a solid game with 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting, including a three. He added an assist and two steals in his 18 minutes as well. It was a good game for JI.

However, he played zero fourth quarter minutes. If he’s still on a minutes restriction, JBB stuck to it last night.

I believe so. Today is the one-month anniversary of his debut. He's played 14 games which isn't that many.

As a point of comparison, Ausar averaged 18.2 minutes his first 15 games back last season after missing eight months. Ivey missed 11 months and had two surgeries. https://t.co/D4nLGI1lB0

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) December 23, 2025

The Freep’s Pistons reporter Omari Sankofa shed some valuable context when comparing Ausar’s return from injury to Ivey. Though, I wish we had confirmation that he was on a minutes restriction.

Mechanic’s Note

Another Ausar highlight, but this one’s to take a look at a quick set to still involve Cade and Duren in a pick-and-roll while Cade starts the possession off-ball.

Ausar’s playing point guard while Duren sets Cade an off-ball screen on the left wing. Cade curls the screen as he receives the pass from Ausar to set up the 2-on-1 opportunity. Clingan plays the middle between both Pistons players and Cade’s able to get up an easy layup.

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Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pistons-videos/48748/under-the-hood-game-29-at-trail-blazers

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pistons vs. Blazers final score: Ausar Thompson saves the day for Detroit

When this game started, it was setting up to be a disaster for Ausar Thompson and a masterclass from Cade Cunningham. When the horn finally sounded, with the Detroit Pistons surviving 110-102 over the Portland Trail Blazers, the script had flipped completely. Thompson was a hero late for Detroit, while Cunningham was stuck on the bench with six fouls.

Fouls were the name of this game, for good and for ill. The Trail Blazers shot 43 free throws compared to just 24 for Detroit. The saving grace for the Pistons was that the Blazers missed 14 of them.

Ausar picked up three quick fouls in the first 3:29 of the first quarter. Cunningham, meanwhile, was dicing the Blazers up. He had 12 points and four assists at halftime, and Portland had no answers for him or anyone else on the Pistons.

Detroit was able to increase its lead to 21 by dominating the paint and generating numerous transition opportunities courtesy of the turnover-prone Blazers. Detroit was plus-26 in the paint (66-40) and plus-26 on fastbreak points (34-8).

Then, with 3:52 remaining in the third quarter and the Pistons in complete control, Cunningham committed an inexplicable and obvious foul on Sidney Cissoko on a reach-around steal attempt, which looked much more like a frustration foul than an actual play for the ball.

The whistle sounded, as it needed to, and suddenly Cunningham had five fouls. By the end of the third quarter, Portland had whittled the lead to 17. Cunningham re-entered the game with 8:50 remaining and an 11-point lead. The Pistons had managed to score just two points in the fourth and needed their star to help them close out the game. Cunningham committed his sixth and final foul on the ensuing possession and earned himself a technical for good measure.

Thompson, meanwhile, had navigated his three early fouls with gusto. He was picking his spots on defense, being aggressive when warranted, and making things happen on the offensive end. He didn’t pick up his fourth until after Cunningham had fouled out of the game.

However, the Pistons’ offense struggled mightily in the fourth quarter, as Portland seized the momentum and hit big shot after big shot, while Detroit was discombobulated and clanging shots off the rim. When Toumani Camara splashed in a three from the top of the key with 4:13 left, Portland took its first lead of the game, 100-99. Detroit had scored four points and looked destined to lose.

Tobias Harris was able to coax himself to the charity stripe and sink two to give the Pistons the lead back. Then Thompson stole the ball near midcourt and coasted in for a quick dunk to pad the lead to three. He skyed to rebound a missed free throw and fed the ball to Jalen Duren for a tough layup in traffic to put the lead at five.

Duren was a monster all night, battling inside against Donovan Clingan and Portland’s wings. He led all scorers with 26 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. After trading buckets and quieting the crowd a bit, a Thompson putback dunk off a Harris miss with 58 seconds left gave Detroit a seven-point lead and sealed the win for the Pistons.

Thompson finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, and three assists. Cunningham ended the game with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, six rebounds, and nine assists.

In a game without Ron Holland, who rested a sore knee, Jaden Ivey stepped up too. He played consistently in the first half before seemingly hitting his minutes cap at 18 minutes. The Pistons fly to Sacramento for a game tomorrow against the Kings, which likely means Ivey’s minutes restriction was even tighter than usual.

Ivey was 5-of-8 from the floor, including a couple of nifty reverse-glass layups, a smooth mid-range make, and a corner three.

The Blazers were led by the acrobatics of Shaedon Sharpe. He scored 25 points, but again made questionable decisions with the ball in his hands. He was 1-of-6 from deep, and a few of those attempts didn’t need to happen, and he committed eight turnovers.

Deni Avdija struggled at the line, hitting just nine of his 15(!!!) attempts. He flirted with a triple-double (eight rebounds, nine assists) as Detroit built its entire defensive game plan around making sure someone was in front of Avdija at all times, and it created a lot of open passing lanes to eager teammates. He finished with 18 points on 4-of-12 shooting.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detr...core-ausar-thompson-saves-the-day-for-detroit

 

[Detroit Pistons]

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

The Detroit Pistons are looking for their fifth consecutive win against the Portland Trailblazers, which is impressive. However, it hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park in the previous four games. When these teams met up in December, the Pistons had to overcome a monster Deni Avdija game and were down five with just over 3 minutes remaining. Luckily, they could turn to Cade Cunningham. Cade scored 29 points total, including 13 in the final quarter to deliver the win for Detroit.

This game also kicks off a five-game West Coast swing for the Pistons. They will be without Ron Holland tonight, who is out with knee soreness. The Blazers will not have Jerami Grant, who missed his first game of the season on Saturday with Achilles soreness. Jrue Holiday hasn’t been seen in over a month and Scoot Henderson still has not made his season debut. It hasn’t stopped Portland from winning. They have won their past three games, though it was against the Warriors once and the Kings twice.

Game Vitals​

When: 10 p.m. ET
Where: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -6

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (22-6)​

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

Portland Trailblazers (12-16)​

Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Kris Murray, Donovan Clingan

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