News Pistons Team Notes

The Pindown: Here Come the Knicks

Pindown_Article_Cover.0.jpg


Putting Cade’s season in perspective, the Knicks & more!

The Pistons loss to the Bucks locks them into the 6th seed. On the same day, the Pacers lost, locking the Knicks into the third seed. The Pistons’ return to the playoffs will be against New York — Cade Cunningham, under the lights in Madison Square Garden. Wes and Blake break it all down: how will the Knicks try to slow down Cade, how the the Pistons stack up against the Knicks starting 5, how will Bickerstaff adjust the rotation. They also play some season end trivia, compare Cade Cunningham’s season to the best of Isiah Thomas and Chauncey Billups, and make their Eastern Conference Playoff predictions.

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/2025/4/13/24407224/the-pindown-here-come-the-knicks
 
Pistons vs. Bucks final score: Detroit drops season finale in OT as many players sit out for both teams

Detroit Pistons v Milwaukee Bucks

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Pat Connaughton’s career night powers Bucks

The Detroit Pistons dropped their season finale 140-133 in overtime against the Milwaukee Bucks. With playoff seeding locked up for both teams, the squads sat out plenty of players and limited the minutes of others. Cade Cunningham sat out as did Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It was an opportunity for young guys to play and, in the case of veteran Pat Connaughton, a chance to go nuclear. Buried on the bench for much of the season, Connaughton scored a career-high 43 points in 43 minutes of action. The Fiserv Forum had a good time, at least.

Malik Beasley led the Pistons with 23 points, draining seven threes in limited minutes. Two-way players and little-used rookie Bobi Klintman and Tolu Smith played nicely, scoring 15 and 14 points, respectively. Lindy Waters hit 6 of his 16 three-point attempts en route to 18 points. Marcus Sasser also scored 18 points for the Pistons, though he struggled in his point guard facilitation role.

The Pistons trailed by as many as 22 early in the game, but spent the rest of the game battling back. The Pistons took their first lead since early in the first quarter on a Sasser 3-pointer to put up 103-101 with just under seven minutes to play.

Detroit then fell back down eight points with just 42 seconds to play. A quick Lindy Waters three followed by a steal on the inbounds pass and a three from Bobi Klintman in the corner cut the lead to two.

The Pistons fouled Jamaree Bouyea, who hit just one of two free throws, giving the Pistons a chance with nine seconds remaining. Detroit swung the ball to Waters again in the corner who nailed a contested three to send the game to overtime.

The overtime period was, uh, not as successful. The Pistons lost. It doesn’t matter. Now we move on to the playoffs and getting ready to face the New York Knicks next weekend.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...re-pat-connaughton-lindy-waters-malik-beasley
 
Pistons vs Bucks preview: 5th seed in the Playoffs up for grabs

NBA: Milwaukee Bucks at Detroit Pistons

Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

The Pistons square off against the Bucks twice before the end of the season with a chance to move up in the standings.

It is time to play for all the marbles as we close out the 2024-2025 regular season with two games against the Milwaukee Bucks.

I am not sure how much being the 5th seed matters to either of these teams, but both teams are expected to have pretty much their full rotation available, so I guess that tells you this at least matters a little bit to both of these teams.

Despite looking dead in the water after Damian Lillard went down with blood clots, the Bucks have managed to get things back together and have rattled off six straight wins.

The Pistons, on the other hand, have struggled a bit lately as their defense has dipped and they are not generating as many easy looks through their fast break offense. They are coming off an impressive win last night over the Knicks, but the playoffs essentially start now for the Pistons. Let’s see how they handle it.

Game Vitals​


Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI
When: Friday, April 11 at 7 pm EST
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons (-5.5)

Analysis​


Tonight is the final game of the regular season at Little Caesars Arena, but for the first time in 6 years, it will not be the final game of the NBA season at Little Caesars Arena as the Detroit Pistons will be playing in the NBA Playoffs.

Who they play is still to be determined, but their seeding is very straight-forward. Lose either of these two games to the Bucks and the Pistons are locked into the 6th seed and will play either the New York Knicks or Indiana Pacers. Win both of these games and the Pistons clinch the 5th seed and will play either of the aforementioned teams above depending on how the rest of their seasons shake out.

However, winning two consecutive games against the Milwaukee Bucks is easier said than done for the Pistons, even if the Bucks are currently short-handed. The Pistons do not matchup well against the Bucks as evidenced by their multi-season losing streaks at over multiple periods over the last 5-6 years. Add in the fact that the Bucks are an experienced playoff team who at least have seeding purposes to play for, and you are looking at a very difficult task.

The reason for the Pistons struggles against the Bucks are pretty simple. Like a lot of teams in the league, they have nobody to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, what is actually more of a problem for the Pistons is their inability to stop Brook Lopez from hitting 30 footers on them all game. Jalen Duren has improved on the defensive end this season, but his kryptonite is stretch centers, especially ones with veteran moves like Lopez.

The playoffs will be a good test of Duren’s defense, as any of the potential playoff matchups for the Pistons all deploy starting stretch centers.

With Damian Lillard out, the Pistons can put everything into trying to slow down Giannis and Brook Lopez, but the Bucks are clearly pushing a lot of the right buttons right now with Lillard out since they have won six straight.

It is tough to shake from my head what happened the last time these two teams faced off with a trip to the knock out round of the In-Season Tournament on the line, a 21 point blowout by the Bucks that was actually worse than the final score indicates. Although it was an early-season game, the Bucks had something to play for and they put the up-and-coming Pistons in their place with their experience.

As long as the Pistons fight hard and can keep the game close, I think you can be happy with them even if they lose. A blowout loss is a bad look if you are playing at full strength a couple of games before the Playoffs get started.

The one thing the Pistons have going for them is that they have nothing to lose. Maybe the Bucks are content with coasting into the Playoffs and conserving energy. Maybe they can catch them off guard and play hard and will their way to a couple of wins. No matter what happens, the Pistons know they will be playing in the Playoffs when they start next week, but they have a couple of chances to earn a little more respect and enter the playoffs on a high-note.

Lineups​


Detroit Pistons (44-36): Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway Jr, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Milwaukee Bucks (46-34): Ryan Rollins, Taurean Prince, Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez

Question of the Day​


Do you care about what seed the Pistons are or who they play in the first round or are you just happy to see playoff basketball again?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...-for-grabs-2024-2025-nba-season-playoffs-cade
 
Film Don’t Lie: How Detroit matches up against the Knicks

NBA: New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons

David Reginek-Imagn Images

Let’s take a look at the film to see how JB Bickerstaff and his coaching staff can exploit the New York Knicks.

The Detroit Pistons will take on the New York Knicks in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs, with Game 1 starting on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. It’s the first time Detroit has made the playoffs since 2019 (shoutout Blake Griffin), and they’re looking for their first playoff win since 2008. As depressing as those facts are, it feels like this year’s Pistons team is different - and very capable of winning this playoff series.

The Knicks won 51 games and finished as the 3-seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite having a strong season, it was only a 1-win improvement from last year as New York struggled with injuries late into the season. Let’s let our good friend James Edwards III summarize their year in his own words:

“Instead, the Knicks went 0-10 against the league’s top three teams (the Celtics, Cavaliers and Thunder). And even when you remove those teams from the equation, the Knicks were still an underwhelming 15-13 against teams with a winning record. They were 9-20 against the league’s top-10 defenses.”

Guess what? The Pistons have a winning record and finished with a top-10 defense. They finished the year 3-1 in their four games against the Knicks. Detroit can certainly match up well with New York, given the versatility on the Pistons roster — and maybe win the series.

The fun part about playoff basketball is how much more coaching and game-planning plays a role compared to the regular season. When you face the same team for at least four games in a row, you look to exploit mismatches and focus on attacking the weaknesses of the other team. Maybe JB Bickerstaff will shorten the rotation, and he’ll certainly have to get creative with who’s guarding the weapons of New York’s offense. Let’s take a look at what we can expect to see on the court in this playoff series.

How will Detroit’s offense attack New York’s defense?​


New York has a lot of strong perimeter defenders, specifically OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart. We’ve seen Cade cook Bridges multiple times this season, so I would expect OG to have the tall task of guarding Cade in this series. That means Jalen Brunson would have to guard Ausar Thompson or Tim Hardaway Jr, and Detroit can exploit that by using them as a screener to involve Brunson in the play.

In this first clip, Brunson is guarding THJ, and THJ sets a screen to force New York to switch. Brunson then ends up on Cade, and Cade is too big for Brunson to stand a chance without any help - easy buckets.

Detroit runs the same set a quarter later, but this time New York responds by doubling Cade. With both Brunson and McBride on Cade, THJ is at the top of the key, and Cade finds him for a wide-open three.

Lastly, Cade can also let it fly off the dribble. I enjoy that Cade points at THJ to come set the screen to force Brunson to get involved defensively, and Duren heads to the opposite side dunker spot to clear the right side of the court for Cade. Brunson shows to help, Achuiwa goes under the screen, and Cade makes them pay.

This is why New York is going to send everything they have at Cade. He can post up smaller defenders, make the correct read to find open teammates, or punish sagging defenders by hitting off-the-dribble threes. JB Bickerstaff will seek out these mismatches to put Cade in the best position to make plays for his team like he has done all season.

How does Detroit’s defense slow down New York’s offense?​


The Pistons have some versatile pieces on their roster to throw different looks at New York. Starters Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson will certainly have their hands full with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson, but bench defenders Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland can also provide help to give New York trouble for 48 minutes straight.

I would expect Ausar to draw the Jalen Brunson matchup. I would also expect to see Cade, Holland, and Schroder to see some minutes guarding Brunson as well. However, I find the Duren-KAT matchup to be the most interesting in this series. Duren’s defense has improved throughout the year, but a center of KAT’s archetype is not an easy player to guard.

I believe there are two solutions to guarding KAT if Duren struggles:

  1. Play Isaiah Stewart more
  2. Get creative with defensive assignments

KAT is so difficult to guard because of his ability to put the ball on the floor as a 7-footer - he’s essentially a gigantic guard. Since he’s one of the best shooting bigs in NBA history, Duren has to guard him high in case he attempts a jump shot, but he has struggled this season on dribble drives.

Pistons fans on Detroit Bad Boys have commented for years that Isaiah Stewart can be extremely valuable in a bench role in the playoffs, and that couldn’t be more true for this upcoming series. Beef Stew offers a different skillset than Duren, and despite being undersized, he has the side-to-side speed to keep up with KAT on drives and can force KAT into taking some tough shots at the rim.

This may be a series where Isaiah Stewart sees more minutes than Jalen Duren, and that’s not a knock on JD - this is playoff basketball. If JB Bickerstaff wants to set screens with guards to force mismatches, this may be a series where Stewart’s defensive play is needed more than Duren’s vertical gravity when he rolls to the rim.

However, this all depends on who’s on the court for the Knicks. Maybe Thibs goes big and plays Mitchell Robinson and KAT together, and you could put Duren on Robinson and Tobias Harris on KAT.

Or, maybe JB Bickerstaff changes matchups in the starting lineup where Tobias guards KAT and Duren guards Josh Hart. This sets up Duren to provide help defense at the rim if KAT wants to post-up Tobias, and the team lives with 33% three-point shooter Hart taking open jumpers.

This is the exciting part about playoff basketball. It’s about outcoaching the other team and getting creative to present the opponent with new looks that they weren’t prepared for. The knock on JB Bickerstaff in the past has been about his playoff coaching performance and his inability to adjust. JBB has the tools on the roster to throw a lot of different looks at New York, and it will be needed if they’re going to win this playoff series.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...ew-york-knicks-playoffs-preview-film-dont-lie
 
Submit your questions for The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast

Pindown_Article_Cover.0.jpg


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. Call your shot—what happens in the Pistons’ first-round series against the Knicks? Which All-NBA team will Cade Cunningham make? How can the Pistons beat the Knicks in a seven-game series?

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 April 17 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.

Last Week’s Show:


Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/4/16/24409819/pindown-detroit-pistons-podcast
 
A Community of Magic: An Ode to DBB

IMG_5194.0.jpeg


An unforgettable evening 20 years in the making with the Detroit Bad Boys community

Writer’s note: To get the full context of what was the catalyst that led to this piece, I strongly recommend reading Shawn Windsor’s column in the Free Press.

Where to begin? How does one capture the power of a community that, through thick and thin (mostly thin these days), is stronger than ever? A blog that, while Sean and the staff can’t divulge, HAS to be one of the most popular across all of SBNation?

How does one person speak for a collective community that, for the first time in 6,170 days as of writing, may actually celebrate a playoff victory? How does one person encapsulate the depth, charm, and personalities that have come and gone over such a long period of what can charitably be described as mediocrity?

A community that STILL has members that recall the “good ole days” of posting on an all-black, basic website that constantly battled it out with Need4Sheed.com and MotownStringMusic.com for “top blog” status during the Goin’ to Work Era?

The simple answer is they probably can’t, but contrary to Yoda’s sage wisdom, in this case, there is only try. And so I will try. But first, my credentials…

I first joined DetroitBadBoys.com in college. While the exact date is lost to time, I believe it was around 2004. With 21 years, more than 35,000 comments, a brief stint as a “writer” for DBB (The Blessing of Basketball), and inexplicably still active moderation powers, not to mention being the genetic offspring of two exceptional journalists, I think there’s a good chance I can capture a small slice of what makes this community magical.

So sit back, relax, and hopefully enjoy. I’m never short on words, so be prepared.

Editor’s note: The following section contains, by my count, at least 17 DBB historical jokes, inside references, and more. This piece is not about that, necessarily, but it’s fun. Keep score of how many of the references you actually understand.

IN ALL THE SCENAIOS!!!!!!​


Stop me if you’ve heard this one before ... A minister, a lawyer, an international teacher, and a social worker log onto a Zoom ... shoot, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s go back to the beginning.

Back in 2009, DetroitBadBoys.com moved to SBNation and forever changed the lives of many. For me, DBB was always a place for connection, and while the OG site perfectly fit the style of The Bad Boys, the comment section left you wanting more.

As we all learned and grew with the evolution of SBNation’s commenting systems, we shared a steadily decreasing dose of optimism through questionable draft picks, free agency signings, and the period of “HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED,” (If you know, you know.)

Sometimes, we connected through endless, often contentious debate over trades, lineups, our annual lottery misfortune, head coaches that came and went (NYCDAT), and offseason training regimens that would send our roster, especially Charlie Villanueva, to the next level.

Were you here for the “TRADING _______ WOULD BE A MASSIVE MISTAKE?” or the endless debates around our PGOTF that constantly reminded us of the stupidity of post-Billups Dumars’ front office decisions, where combo guards flocked to the palace like the salmon of Capistrano?

Speaking of trades, I sincerely hope most of you remember Ron Marshall’s bombastic trade ideas featuring dozens of players and sometimes almost a quarter of the teams across the league. A blessed trading acumen that has since inspired one of the coolest community traditions that any blog has to offer with the Ron Marshall Memorial Mock Draft.

Maybe you also bought yourself a “Jason Maxiell eats babies” T-shirt like I once did? If not that T-shirt, maybe you snagged a “FREE AMIR” T-shirt designed by our very own Sauce1977 (may he rest in peace in a heaven free of teal jerseys), or maybe you’re still rocking a Need4Sheed stylized “COUNT THAT BABY AND A FOUL” Blaha shirt like our guy Merwinly did for the Grizzlies game last week?

Perhaps you’re familiar with the steady stream of long, smooth, strokey small forwards like Austin Daye and Walter Sharpe, or still struggle to accept that we drafted “THE WRONG DAJUAN?”

Maybe you remember ALL CAPS MODE reserved only for those moments of dominance that came with having two centers, neither of whom was stretchy enough to contend in the fast-evolving era of stretch fours?

It wasn’t always pretty, and there were times when it was downright nasty. Do y’all remember the rhino gifs? No? It’s probably for the better, even if it in some small way inspired the creator who even had one made for his young daughter to make one of the greatest fan-made T-shirts of all time? (“GO SHITTY TEAM GO!”)

Being a fan of the Pistons over the past 16-plus years was ROUGH, but no matter how stupid the trades, the draft picks, the coaching hires, or some of the comments were, we as a community fought through the rhino shit with a collective humor that, in my humble EPINION, is unmatched in professional sports communities.


A Place to Grow Up, for better or worse​


I know I’m not the only one with over 20 years of time in this community, but if you can recall even one of these moments, then like me, you too have grown up on this blog.

And if you can’t? That’s okay too. You’re here and you’re a part of this and I can’t wait to experience the memes we’ll assuredly create together as we celebrate these current Pistons on their path to greatness.

For me? I graduated college in 2005, moved to Colorado, and met a girl who convinced me to move to Seattle only a year or so before Clay Bennett stole the team to OKC. I got dumped on my birthday, met another girl, got married, lost my Dad to cancer, brought three incredible kids into this world, and bought a house. Then in 2021, I went through divorce, left my job of 15 years, moved my family to LA, got laid off, moved my family back to Seattle, and now here we are.

Through every major milestone, DBB was an unwavering community I could rely on, a respite from some of the worst moments a person can go through, and a collective HIVEMIND (had to slip one more in) where we could be here with one another.

While the details might be specific to me, I know that my experience is anything but unique, which takes us back to the beginning, or is it the end? I guess in my old age I’ve confused myself again.

Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press
Marcus Erwin, his family, and his DBB friends pose for a photo with George and Greg on the court at Little Caesars Arena.

A Minister, A Law Professor, an International Teacher, and a Social Worker walk into a Zoom…​


If you have the same passion for connecting with people from all walks of life as I do, then March 2020 did a number on your mental health. I went from chatting up every one of my neighbors, wasting time in the kitchen at work talking sports, and having the opportunity to travel the world through work, to feeling utterly and completely alone.

The isolating effect of COVID did a number on all of us, but for me, it was almost unbearable.

So, when one of DBB’s own, Merwinly, invited me to a weekly Saturday evening Zoom meeting set up by DBB’s Toledo Joe with a collection of people that sounded more like the opening to a bad joke than anything else, my curiosity got the better of me.

Meeting Marcus, Joe, Ken, V, Dave, Robert, Ryan, Scott, Chris, and others along the way was like a weird window into the lives of people I had known for years yet had never seen, talked to, or even been aware of their real names in some cases (not all of us have as original usernames as I do, of course).

We weren’t the only ones during COVID to set up Zoom happy hours, but something about this group, our ability to flow between relentless teasing and being there for each other through the absolute worst times, seemed to stick. For more than five years now, a lifetime in a post-COVID world, each Saturday evening, we’ve gotten together to discuss Detroit Sports, share our lives with each other, and support one another.

Maybe we’re all the type of people who love to pick up the phone. Or maybe we all just have too much time on our hands. I think it all started when Matt Watson created DetroitBadBoys.com, recognizing the importance of human connection through a shared love of professional sports.

Matt’s original idea, like our Zoom calls, was not unique (we can’t forget that Motown String Music was merged with DBB when it moved to SBNation). However, the continued dedication and passion devoted to this blog from both the staff and the community is one-of-a-kind.


From left to right, Shanna, Evey, and Marcus, getting ready to hop into a limo and head to the Pistons game.

I love it when a plan comes together​


Over the past few years, some of our group have had a chance to meet each other, mostly under unfortunate circumstances. The most recent occasion was sadly no different. As some of you may already know now, Merwinly is doing everything he can to kick the crap out of cancer, but ongoing radiation and chemo over the past 18 months has taken its toll.

When a loved one, someone who you deeply respect, admire, and care about, goes through cancer, you don’t half-ass it. You do everything you can to help them.

So our group came together and decided that with the Pistons FINALLY playing well in 2025, we should make a run at getting everyone we could to a game and see what we could do to make it truly special for Merwinly, his wife Shanna, and his daughter Evey.

We figured that with the news Merwinly was sharing with us, now was the time to put together a truly special “Night of Magic.”

Tickets were purchased, and the Pistons organization was met with a barrage of inquiries as to how we could make this night truly special for Merwinly and his family, and boy, did they come through.

As the day got closer, I may have gone a little overboard with the logistics and planning, opting to get a limo that, upon arrival, was mistaken for Tom Gores’ potential attendance at the game.


A well placed source is telling me Tom Gores may be at the game tonight (I drove by a limo with Pistons flags on it when I passed by the airport)

— Jasper Apollonia (@BladeCunningham) April 5, 2025

I also made down-to-the-minute travel plans to coordinate everyone coming together at a Portillo’s in Livonia.

Turns out, I may have gotten this from my Mother, who unbeknownst to me, reached out to a former journalism connection at the Free Press to let them know about the story of connection through DBB (you can read that story here).


Marcus shakes hands with George and Greg before the game.

A Night of Magic, 20+ Years in the Making​


On Saturday, April 5th, 2025, a night of magic 20-plus years in the making began with lunch at Portillo’s. Being in from Seattle, my Mom insisted on driving me for no other reason than not being convinced that any of these “internet friends” were real.

Editor’s note 2: This makes me wonder if James had a girlfriend from Canada lurking in his middle-school past.

As each person showed up, handshakes were swept aside in favor of bear hugs and hearty pats on the back, greeting each other like long-lost relatives. With Sauce having moved on to that Teal-less paradise above, we welcomed his wife and son to the party in the same way. Soon after, Shawn Windsor of the Detroit Free Press arrived, and my Mom was finally convinced these people really existed and they were, in fact, my friends.

For the next two hours, we talked and shared our story with Shawn. He asked some great questions to put everyone at ease, but just like the best writers out there, he gave us space. It didn’t take long before we dusted off some of the meme speak and walked down memory lane.

About midway through, we even Facetimed Robert from Nigeria, who, upon popping on the screen, was shirtless and talking to a neighbor as he was coming back from his daily swim. Apparently, that “Go Shitty Team Go” shirt has been retired for the time being. Hopefully permanently. Joe’s wife, Krusta, would patch Robert in again at the game so that he could be there with us from thousands of miles away, which is just a reminder that DBB goes beyond the people in the comment section and finds its way into the lives of our partners and those close to us.

The next few hours were mostly a blur, but we eventually all made it to Little Caesars Arena, where the Pistons organization was about to put on a show.

Every single person we interacted with from the Pistons and Little Caesars Arena was incredible. You could sense the joy they brought to the job of making Pistons fans’ experiences first-class. You could feel the energy they had with the Pistons having clinched the 6-seed the night before in Toronto.

When we arrived at LCA, our group ticket sales rep greeted us just inside the ticket gate. He promptly walked us down to our seats in section 109 and then straight past them down to court level.

It turns out that having a friend in Nigeria with the patience to pester the Pistons pays off, as they walked us down to the seats below the hoop where Cade, Jalen, and the rest of the Pistons were warming up.

As warmups wrapped up, two Detroit sports icons, impeccably dressed as always, walked up to meet Merwinly and his family. George Blaha and Greg Kelser are class acts, and the main thing I felt from their presence is that they shared the same passion for connection to the community that we did as friends and diehard Pistons fans. Despite a tight pre-game production schedule, they spent time with Merwinly and his family, offering words of encouragement and support in the exact same way that DBB has offered so many of us over the years. The Pistons capped this moment off by sending Merwinly a signed picture of George, Greg, and Merwinly’s family courtside.

We all know what happened next. A forgettable game with horrific shooting where Isaiah Stewart and Dennis Schröeder were SOMEHOW our two most efficient three-point shooters. The game wasn’t pretty, but if you watched, maybe you heard George’s shoutout to Marcus just as the second half started.

After listening to this clip dozens of times, I like to think that we are all “fans from Fruitport, Michigan,” and that shoutout was to every single one of us who has stuck with this team and been a part of this community over the years.

So, how does one capture the essence of a community as rich with personality, history, and passion for the Detroit Pistons?

They share. They engage. They support.

With respect. With kindness. With grit.

Most importantly, they welcome the “Bandwagon Ass Cats” that will surely join our ranks in this new era of Pistons success.

So what’s your story DBB? I’d love to hear it.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...t-bad-boys-fan-meetup-n-i-g-h-t-o-f-m-a-g-i-c
 
The Pindown Playoff Preview

Pindown_Article_Cover.0.jpg


Three things we know if the Pistons win, the Knicks double-big lineup & more!

Bring on the Playoffs!

As the Pistons load up to play the New York Knicks in round one of the NBA Playoffs, Wes and Blake state six things they think they know — three if the Knicks win and three if the Pistons win. The break down the how the Pistons match up head to head, where do the Pistons have an advantage? They also discuss why youth and inexperience may not be a complete disadvantage in this series, how the team my choose to slow down Karl-Anthony Towns, and why the Knicks double-big lineup should be music to Pistons fans’ ears.

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/2025/4/18/24410884/the-pindown-playoff-preview
 
Pistons vs. Knicks preview: The playoffs are here and so are the Pistons

NBA: New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons

A Pistons fan wearing a Cheetos outfit yells at Knicks players, because why not? | David Reginek-Imagn Images

This fan is pumped, are you?

The Detroit Pistons will face the New York Knicks on ESPN today at Madison Square Garden in Game 1 of a first-round playoff series. Every word of that sentence was a wonder to type. The Pistons won three of four against the Knicks this season, but playoff basketball is different, and New York has the upper hand in playoff experience. The Knicks have made the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, including three in a row. The Pistons are in the playoffs for the first time in six years and looking for their first playoff victory for the first time in the better part of two decades.

Game Vitals​


When: 6 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Watch: ESPN
Odds: Pistons +7

Analysis​


We’ve gone over countless narratives leading up to this series, and there will surely be plenty of storylines to obsess over following Game 1. Perhaps instead of a player- or psychoanalysis, it’s time for a bit of the tale of the tape. How do these two teams compare to each other, and what made them so successful this season?

Team Ratings​

Offensive Rating​

  • Detroit Pistons: 114.6 (ranked 14th)
  • New York Knicks: 117.5 (5th)

Defensive Rating​

  • Detroit Pistons: 112.5 (10th)
  • New York Knicks: 113.3 (13th)

Net Rating​

  • Detroit Pistons: +2.1 (12th)
  • New York Knicks: +4 (8th)

This table is proving impossible to align with SB Nation responsive styles effectively, and the embedded table leaves a lot to be desired, so here is a handy link for everyone — Pistons vs. Knicks - Tale of the Tape.

Projected Starters​

Detroit Pistons (0-0)​


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

New York Knicks (0-0)​


Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns

Question of the Day​


How we feeling? (in gif form)

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...-knicks-preview-cade-cunningham-jalen-brunson
 
Pistons vs. Knicks final score: Detroit loses composure, gives up 21-point run in fourth to drop Game 1

Detroit Pistons v New York Knicks - Game One

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Detroit led late, but then fell apart

The Detroit Pistons veterans led them early, but in a critical fourth quarter, the team’s youth and inexperience showed. The Pistons went from up eight points early in the fourth quarter to down 13 after giving up a 21-point run to the Knicks in the 123-112 loss.

Before the series began, we talked about how playoff basketball was different and that for this young team, it was going to be baptism by fire. They acquitted themselves well for the first three quarters in a largely back-and-forth game. They navigated an engaged Knicks defense, they hit open shots, they moved the ball well, and they played spirited defense.

But if playoff basketball is different, then fourth quarter playoff basketball is really different.

Turnovers have been Detroit’s Achilles heel all season, and the issue showed up in a big way in the fourth against the Knicks. The Pistons committed 21 in the game, including a five-second violation to begin the fourth. It was an ominous sign of things to come.

They turned it over again on the ensuing possession on a shot clock violation after Ausar Thompson was unable to get a shot off from the dunker’s spot. The Pistons had eight turnovers in the quarter.

There had been much talk about how critical it was for Cade Cunningham to play close to the level he played against the Knicks in the regular season. Cunningham was a willing and smart passer on the night, but the Cade Detroit needed did not show up in game one.

He finished with 21 points and 12 assists, but was just 8-of-21 from the floor, hit just one of his four three-point attempts, and had a team-high six turnovers. His teammates largely stepped up and did what they needed to do, especially the veterans.

Tobias Harris scored 22 first-half points, but scored just three in the second half. He was on fire early, hitting mid-range jumpers and getting to the free-throw line. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley were also money from deep in the first half, and helped Detroit stay in the game with Cade struggling.

Knicks star Jalen Brunson had struggles of his own, but he was able to step up in the critical phase late in the game where Cunningham could not. Brunson led all scorers with 34 points and was 9-of-13 after a rocky begging to the game, finishing 12-of-27 overall.

As the Pistons had players step up to help a struggling star so did New York. OG Anunonby was a beast on both ends throughout the game, finishing with 23 points. Karl-Anthony Towns also scored 23, including several high degree of difficult fadeaway jumpers and floaters in the lane. The hero for New York in the fourth was Cam Payne, who scored 11 in the period, putting a stamp on New York’s definitive 21-point run.

In the end, it was a loss for Detroit on the road. It is a loss they can learn from. They have a sense of the level of defense they will be allowed to play (several Pistons struggled with foul trouble in this one), they know what it looks like when a team turns up the defense, and now they REALLY know what a late-game playoff game looks like. They didn’t respond well in game one. But they showed they have the talent, now they just need to find an answer.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...cks-final-score-jalen-brunson-cade-cunningham
 
Pistons vs. Knicks GameThread: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

NBA: Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

I’d like to welcome you to a Detroit Pistons playoff game thread

The NBA playoffs have officially begun. So far today, Giannis Antetounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks were run off the floor against the Indiana Pacers. Giannis will need to ask and answer some difficult questions about his future if his Bucks get bounced in the first round. Currently, Nikola Jokic is attempting to avoid that same fate as he looks to power his Denver Nuggets past a crafty and defensively astute Los Angeles Clippers team. It is a one-possession game at the dawn of the fourth quarter.

But what we really care about is the 6 p.m. matchup that will see the Detroit Pistons face off against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden. It’s a chance for Cade Cunningham to take his next step on his path toward superstardom. But he will need some help. He’ll need defensive help from Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and Ron Holland. And he’ll need offensive help from Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris, and Dennis Schröder.

Cunningham is the best player on the floor, but the Knicks might have players 2-6 in the matchup. That means Cade has to continue his mastery, not shrink under the bright lights of the playoffs, and his teammates need to find ways to be effective when things get tight. I’m pumped. I love this team, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us in the postseason.

Game Vitals​


When: 6 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Watch: ESPN
Odds: Pistons +7

Projected Starters​

Detroit Pistons (0-0)​


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

New York Knicks (0-0)​


Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...-knicks-gamethread-game-time-tv-odds-and-more
 
Cade Cunningham player prop bet for Game 2 vs Knicks

2025 NBA Playoffs - Detroit Pistons v New York Knicks


Keep doubling... Cade will figure it out

Send two, send three, send the whole team. That was the New York Knicks’ game plan versus Cade Cunningham and the young Detroit Pistons.

That expected way of playing resulted in 12 Cunningham assists. Malik Beasley, Ausar Thompson, and Tim Hardaway Jr. received three dimes a piece from the 1st time All-Star.

New York will likely lean on doubles and blitzes to force these other players to beat them. Luckily for you, it’s time to make some easy money because Cunningham won’t shoot that poorly doubles or not.

Today’s No Sweat bet is Cunningham’s points + assists via FanDuel. Cunningham will come through on the player prop and the game overall. Throughout the NBA playoffs, all customers will receive a No Sweat Same Game Parlay every weekend. If your SGP ticket doesn’t win, you’ll still get Bonus Bets back!

Cade Cunningham OVER 36.5 Pts + Ast at -112 odds


Send two to the ball, and Cade makes the right decision. With Hardaway and Beasley playing string music on the nets, Cunningham’s assists total will be up there.

Beasley shot 6-12, and Hardaway was 3-8 from deep in Game 1. Tobias Harris created some of his buckets (4-5 from 3), but if he stays sizzling, he’ll also get more baskets from Cade.

Jalen Duren didn’t finish around the cup like his usual paint-dominant self. He’ll be matched up with a not-so-great defender in Karl-Anthony Towns and a plus-defender in Mitchell Robinson. Those first playoff games jitters are out of the way and count on more Cade-to-Duren lobs to pad Cade’s assist total.

Keep in mind Cunningham had 12 assists in Game 1 while only getting one to Duren. Those two connected on two assists per game(!) in the regular season. You can bet your bucks they won’t see a number as low as Game 1 again.

Cade had 33 points + assists in Game 1, and that was with him shooting like crap. He went 8/21 from the field. OG Anunoby was a pest, but it’s nothing Cade hasn’t seen before. He still got where he wanted, with Anunoby covering him and through the blitzes. Cade just missed shots he usually makes. Runners, hook shots, and midrange jumpers are all staples in his game that didn’t go down in Game 1.

This was his first playoff game as well. Seeing the bottom of the bottom with him and his team allowing a 21-0 fourth-quarter run, expect the All-Star to bounce back in a major way. He will have a signature game in the Garden where he carves up the Knicks with breadbasket passes, and I don’t see your contest jumpers.

The Knicks can keep running the same scheme on Cade if they want, but great players adjust. The assists are easy money if his shooters connect and Duren plays his game. Cade will get back to his regular self as a scorer no matter what they throw at him. Book it.

How the No Sweat Same Game Parlay works​


Here’s how it works:

  1. Click “Claim Now” on the home page to claim your No Sweat Token.
  2. After clicking “Claim Now” on the Promotion, you will be awarded one No Sweat Token. Your No Sweat Token may be used on a 3+ Leg Same Game Parlay / Same Game Parlay Plus wager for any NBA Playoff Game(s) taking place that weekend
  3. Your wager must have final odds of +400 or Longer to qualify. I.E, +450 and +600 would qualify, but -300 or +100 would not.
  4. Build your 3+ Leg SGP / SGP+, toggle-on your No-Sweat Token, and place your bet!
  5. There is a maximum refund associated with use of your No-Sweat Token. Users will have to log in for more details.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...nningham-player-prop-bet-for-game-2-vs-knicks
 
Pistons vs. Knicks final score: Cade responds as Detroit evens series with Game 2 win

NBA: Playoffs-Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Cunningham scored 33 and Dennis Schroder hit big shots late to win Game 2

When Dennis Schroder shot the ball, I think every Detroit Pistons fan had the same reaction.

“nonononononoono... YES!”

The veteran backup point guard scored four points in the final minute to help stop the bleeding as the New York Knicks once again were primed to erase a big Pistons’ lead in their first-round series at Madison Square Garden.

Schroder’s heroics, combined with a pair of late misses by the Knicks, saw the Pistons do what they could not in Game 1 — face adversity and overcome it. The result was a 98-94 win to even the series at 1-1.

It was Detroit’s first playoff win since May 26, 2008.

The Pistons once again led for most of the third quarter — and all fourth, technically — but as they tend to do, they made it interesting late.

New York turned up the intensity and, while there was no 21-0 run like Game 1, they chipped away at the Detroit lead with a 12-2 run that saw Jalen Brunson (37 pointS) cut a double-digit lead to 92-90 with just over two minutes to go.

Cade Cunningham found Jalen Duren for an alley-oop to stop the bleeding, but Brunson answered by goading Tobias Harris into a foul on a three the next trip down. Brunson hit two of three free throws to cut it to two once again and, after a Duren turnover, a Josh Hart dunked to tie it at 94.

The Garden was rocking. The Pistons were turtling. It felt grim.

Then Dennis took control.

After blowing an eight-point lead late in Game 1, there was a sense by many that the Pistons may come out a little shaken up against the New York Knicks in Game 2.

It was a fair assumptiion. The Pistons looked every part of a young team in their first playoff series and were clearly overwhelmed late as New York ran off 21-straight points to steal the opener.

This was uncharted territory.

When you have Cade, the uncharted isn’t so scary.

The Pistons star shook off a poor performance in Game 1 and answered with a massive one on Monday, scoring 33 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.

Cade was The Man, but I’m gonna say my unsung hero tonight was Paul Reed. Filling in for an injured Isaiah Stewart, he shook off some early jitters to have a really productive stint in the third quarter that helped the Pistons build the big lead up.

Like they did in Game 1, the Pistons came out locked in to open the second half. New York missed 11 of their first 12 shots as Detroit extended its lead to 68-53 with five minutes to go. Cunningham continued to attack and, honestly, if Tim Hardaway Jr. could make anything, the Pistons might have led by 20.

I didn't think the Pistons veterans were all going to be firing on all cylinders like they did in Game 1, and that proved to be true. Tobias Harris continued to be steady with 15 points and 13 rebounds, but Hardaway Jr. was tragically bad.

The shooter went 0 of 8 from the field, reminding us that as loud as his big games are, his bad ones are just as impactful the other way. Malik Beasley had seven points entering the fourth quarter as the Knicks doubled him on every catch through three.

Detroit looked cool and composed for three and a half quarters.

Cade’s determination was the key. I’ve never really seen him come out exclusively looking to shoot, but he was playing fast and aggressive from the tip. A lot of that was creating his own looks in transition, but it was also just an inability to keep him out of his spots in the mid-range by the Knicks.

Jalen Duren was another guy who answered the bell. He was LOST in Game 1, battling foul trouble and looking uncomfortable with the ball pressure when he had the ball away from the rim. From his powerful dunk in the first minute to the rest of the night, he was active and aggressive with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks.

It was infectious energy.

As unlikely as it was for the vets to ALLLLL click on the same night, it was just as unlikely that all of the young guys would play as poorly as they collectively did in the opener.

But can I say one thing:

DAMN, DOES IT FEEL GOOD TO WIN A PLAYOFF GAME!


It’ll be interesting to see the adjustments on top of the adjustments going into Game 3 at LCA. You know the old saying, “it’s not a series until the home team loses a game.”

Well, the home team lost a game. Now, I’d expect a raucous crowd in downtown Detroit on Thursday with the series wide open.

See ya there.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...detroit-evens-series-with-game-2-win-new-york
 
Pistons vs. Knicks GameThread: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

Detroit Pistons v New York Knicks - Game One

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Isaiah Stewart will miss Game 2 with knee inflamation

The Detroit Pistons will look to rebound after a disappointing collapse in Game 1 against the New York Knicks. Detroit led by six in the fourth but surrendered a 21-point run to let the Knicks take control. To make matters worse, Detroit’s best rim protector, Isaiah Stewart, will miss Game 2 with right knee inflammation. Stewart sitting immediately preceded the big run from the Knicks, and now the Pistons will have to figure out how to survive for 48 minutes with just Jalen Duren and Paul Reed down low. The Pistons also need to determine how to get Cade Cunningham free and into the flow of the offense. He struggled with the Knicks’ aggressive trapping and doubling scheme in Game 1.

Game Vitals​


When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Watch: TNT, TruTV, MAX, Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons +6.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (0-1)​


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

New York Knicks (0-1)​


Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...-knicks-gamethread-game-time-tv-odds-and-more
 
Submit your questions for The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast

Pindown_Article_Cover.0.jpg


Tune in live Wednesday at 5:30 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 some Pistons playoff basketball. Submit your question to the comments section here or on X/Twitter to @TheRealWesD3 and/or @blakesilverman.

Join us live on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ET for the show where we’ll talk through the Pistons-Knicks first-round series before it heads to Detroit. What’s your take on Game 1 and Game 2? What adjustments do you think Detroit should make? Who’s your most important Pistons as the series rolls on?

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: Wednesday April 23 at 5:30 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.

Last Week’s Show:


Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/4/21/24413454/pindown-detroit-pistons-podcast
 
Pistons vs. Knicks preview: How does Detroit respond after collapse in Game 1?

2025 NBA Playoffs - Detroit Pistons v New York Knicks


The Pistons young players don’t have time to figure things out

Everything was going great for the Detroit Pistons until it wasn’t. The Pistons, a young team on the road in one of the NBA’s most storied buildings, had a 98-92 lead over the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter. The Madison Square Garden crowd was silent and Detroit was looking to scrap and claw its way to shifting home court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Then Isaiah Stewart went to the bench, the Knicks went on a 21-0 run, the crowd was electric, the Pistons lost the game, and Stewart might be missing now, too.

So, how do the Pistons respond? If the answer doesn’t include better play from all of Detroit’s stable of young contributors, then it will likely be another loss and a 0-2 deficit as they head back to Detroit.

Game Vitals​


When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Watch: TNT, TruTV, MAX, Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons +6.5

Analysis​


The arithmetic is pretty simple. The Pistons got everything they could have possibly wanted from their veterans, and need every young player to step up in a huge way. The trio of Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Malik Beasley combined for 64 points, shot better than 50% from the floor, and had five turnovers.

Detroit’s young players did not deliver. Cade Cunningham struggled with his shot — 21 points on 21 shots. Ausar Thompson was in early foul trouble and turned the ball over. Jalen Duren was late on rotations and not impactful on offense. Ron Holland was limited to just six minutes, and the Pistons were outscored by 7 points with him on the floor.

They took a haymaker to the tune of 21 points and didn’t know how to respond. If they left the floor dazed and confused, here is hoping they used their off day to watch the tape, reflect on the playoff atmosphere they found themselves in, and better understand how to respond and perform under pressure.

It all starts with Cade Cunningham, who needs to understand how to deal with the Knicks’ pressure and willingness to send extra defenders to him in an effort to force turnovers and easy transition opportunities. He needs to hit his shots and find the right pass, either to an open shooter or to an outlet who can kick it to an open shooter. We need efficient, All-Star Cade. If we don’t get that kind of performance, the Pistons have little hope of making this a real competitive series.

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (0-1)​


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

New York Knicks (0-1)​


Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns

Question of the Day​


Who has the biggest bounceback game for the Pistons — Cade, Ausar, or Jalen?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...-knicks-preview-cade-cunningham-jalen-brunson
 
Isaiah Stewart status unclear for Game 2 against Knicks

New York Knicks v Detroit Pistons

Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images

Stewart is dealing with right knee issue

After nearly 19 hard-fought minutes Saturday, Isaiah Stewart, not moving at 100%, motioned to the Detroit Pistons’ sidelines to take him out of the game. The Pistons were beating the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs 98-92 at the time of Stew’s exit. In less than five minutes of game action, it was suddenly 111-98 Knicks, and the Pistons had let a chance to beat the Knicks in Madison Square Garden slip away.

The backup big man sat out the final two games of the regular season, including a key matchup against the Bucks to determine playoff seeding, to rest an inflamed right knee. Ian Begley reported after the game that Stewart had imaging done on his knee after the game. It’s unclear if he will be available for Game 2 or any of the remaining games in the series.

To add frightening insult to literal injury, Omari Sankofa in the Detroit Free Press indicated, via JB Bickerstaff, that Stewart might be dealing with more than just inflammation.

“Bickerstaff didn’t confirm if that’s the injury that’s still ailing him, but implied that the issue might be deeper than just inflammation,” Sankofa writes. “ ‘Uh, there’s a lot going on there,’ Bickerstaff said about the injury.”

Stewart has been one of the league’s most impactful paint defenders this season. He allowed opponents to shoot just 46% at the rim this season, second in the NBA to Chet Holmgren for any player defender at least 4 rim attempts per game.

He is key to Detroit’s defense, and I’m not sure if the Pistons have a real shot against the Knicks if Stewart is forced to miss time. Exacerbating the issues was a poor defensive showing from Jalen Duren. The 21-year-old big man played his age against the Knicks. He was a team-low minus-20 in 24 minutes of action, scoring 7 points and securing six rebounds. He was regularly late on rotations and fouled four times. Stewart, for comparison, was a team-high plus-8.

Paul Reed has proven capable as a scorer and serviceable big man off the bench, but the absence of Stewart would leave a Belle Isle-sized hole in the Pistons’ defense. Perimeter defenders Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland, a second-year player and a rookie, respectively, also didn’t perform well in their first dose of playoff action. If the Pistons are incapable of staying in front of New York’s dynamic guards without fouling, the frontline of Duren and Reed shouldn’t be expected to put up much resistance.

Stewart is officially listed as questionable for Game 2, but at this point, I am more worried about Games 3 and 4.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...fs-pistons-knicks-injury-updateisaiah-stewart
 
Pistons vs Knicks final score: Detroit loses Game 3 to New York’s Big Four

Detroit Pistons v New York Knicks - Game Two

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

It came down to the final possession, but Detroit couldn’t pull out the victory - and New York now leads the series 2-1.

That was a playoff basketball game.

It was incredibly tense from start to finish as the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks went toe-to-toe and blow-to-blow. It was chippy between the two teams the entire time. We saw a flagrant-1 foul from Jalen Brunson, three technical fouls due to a kerfuffle between Paul Reed, Mitchell Robinson, and Karl-Anthony Towns, and double-technicals issued to Dennis Schroder and Cam Payne.

In the end, the Knicks were able to rely on their star players to carry them across the finish line, 118-116. The Pistons, meanwhile, made it close, but didn’t get enough from its key players, but fought and scrapped to the end.

It went down to the final play, but after a back-and-forth battle, Detroit couldn’t pull out the victory due to the Knicks’ Big Four. Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, and KAT combined to score 103 of New York’s 118 points. The Pistons battled back after being down double-digits multiple times, but took the Game 3 loss 118-116. As loud as Little Caesars Arena was, and as much as they made their feelings towards Jalen Brunson known, the Knicks showed up tonight.

Cade Cunningham finished with 24 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists. It wasn’t an efficient night as he took 25 shots and had six turnovers. New York was doubling him after every ball screen, and they played a physical game with him tonight. JB Bickerstaff and his coaching staff will have to get creative to counter New York when they trap Cunningham.

Tim Hardaway Jr was the veteran savior tonight. He also had 24 points, shooting 7-for-12 from deep. He was on fire early while other veterans Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris combined for 17 points on 23 attempts. They didn’t get shots to fall tonight in a game where it felt like this team never got a bucket when they really needed one. Detroit was able to make it a one possession game consistently, but they never could get over the hump to reclaim the lead.

Dennis Schroder added 18 points, shooting 4-for-6 from three. He was fantastic off the bench once again this postseason, and it can’t be understated how much he’s adding to this team right now. He continues to make tough shots in clutch moments.

I don’t feel like this is one of those games to feel down about the team’s performance. We could’ve used a more efficient Cade, but New York is doubling him like the superstar he is. Malik Beasley hasn’t shot it well the past two games. He was 2-for-10 from deep tonight, but multiple of those attempts were wide open looks that he usually makes. The Knicks played their best game all series, and it still only resulted in a two-point loss for Detroit.

Fingers crossed we hear good news about Isaiah Stewart’s availability for next game because Detroit could’ve really used him tonight. New York’s Big Four showed off their impressive shot-making abilities tonight, but having a bruiser like Beef Stew on the court for half the game will absolutely make a difference.

Let’s see if Detroit can even the series again with a Game 4 Sunday matinee.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...re-detroit-loses-game-3-to-new-yorks-big-four
 
Pistons vs Knicks GameThread: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

2025 NBA Playoffs - Detroit Pistons v New York Knicks - Game Two

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Pistons look to take control of the series

How loud can Little Caesars Arena get? That is the primary question I have been asking myself as the Detroit Pistons host the New York Knicks in game three of the first-round series in the NBA Playoffs. I was at the first home game the last time the Pistons hosted a tilt in the playoffs. Blake Griffin was returning from the knee injury and the building was electric — even as everyone knew the Pistons were about to get crushed by the visiting Milwaukee Bucks. I’ll be there again tonight, and I’m wondering just how much more amped people will be to root for a team they believe in. A team they just saw break a playoff losing streak that stretched back to 2008, a team they believe can win the series against the Knicks, and a team they believe has a legitimate NBA future. It will be loud. I can’t wait to see how loud.

Also, for those wondering, Isaiah Stewart is officially listed as questionable tonight with right knee inflammation.

Game Vitals​


When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: TNT, MAX
Odds: Pistons +1.5

Projected Lineups​

Detroit Pistons (1-1)​


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

New York Knicks (1-1)


Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OJ Anunoby, Karl Anthony-Towns

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...-knicks-gamethread-game-time-tv-odds-and-more
 
For Dennis Schröder, the moment is nothing new

NBA: Detroit Pistons at Oklahoma City Thunder

Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The World Cup winner is unafraid of the limelight

Back in February, when the Detroit Pistons acquired veteran point guard Dennis Schröder as part of a labyrinthine trade that orchestrated Jimmy Butler’s escape from Miami to the west coast, it was seen as a shrewd bit of business for a franchise unexpectedly finding itself in the throes of a playoff race, the rapid improvements from the destitution of the Monty Williams era far beyond even the wildest and most optimistic of preseason expectations (I had them 12th in the East).

Schröder brought with him a reputation as a veteran ball handler capable of running an offense and providing a scoring punch when required. In Brooklyn, prior to his quiet and brief stint with the Warriors, he averaged over 16 points per game on 40% from three and 6.3 assists per game. The assists and three-point percentage were both career high marks for the German, who earlier in his career was known as a slashing, scoring guard, backing up All-Star talents in Jeff Teague in Atlanta, and Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul in Oklahoma City.

While his game has evolved to become more of a traditional floor general in recent times (his shooting splits with the Pistons are the worst of his career), what has remained is the fearlessness and the willingness to have the ball in his hands in big moments, not shrinking from the limelight. He was largely brought to Detroit to help Cade Cunningham by taking some of the ball-handling responsibilities off the budding superstar’s plate, especially following the injury Jaden Ivey suffered on New Year's Day. The Pistons scratched around for a month with Marcus Sasser and Ausar Thompson as ball handlers before Schröder’s arrival.

That embracing of the moment was no more evident than in the final minutes of Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, where a hostile and partisan New York crowd was stirred into a frenzy by Jalen Brunson grifting the Knicks back into the game. The Pistons had shown their underbelly in Game 1, keeling over when the lights got too bright, a 21-0 Knicks run subjecting them to the franchise’s 15th straight playoff loss (an NBA record), and the Garden crowd circled like sharks in the water when the score got tied at 94.

Enter Dennis Schröder.

Cade Cunningham had done the heavy lifting for the first 3.5 quarters. The face of the franchise had 33 points, but it was beginning to tire as the Knicks began to surge, blanketed by physical defence from OG Anunoby, among others. It was times like these that showed Schröder’s true value as the release valve.

In the key possession, Cade brings the ball up the court and kicks it to Tobias Harris at the top of the key. Cade immediately calls for it back, but Anunoby shoots the gap and denies the pass, so Harris rotates left to Schröder, waiting on the opposite wing. The Pistons had cleared the entire right side of the court for Cade to operate on Anunoby, but once the ball was swung, the floor got re-balanced with Duren shifting to the right side, with Tobias as the screener and Malik Beasley in the strong side corner.

The Knicks were trying to hide Brunson on Schröder in this possession to lessen his defensive load in preparation for another key offensive possession. By swinging to Schröder, the Pistons got Brunson involved in an action with the pick and roll, forcing a switch to bring Josh Hart onto the ball, which isn’t necessarily what the Pistons would’ve wanted, but Schröder was able to use the Knicks' scheme against them. If you go back and re-watch the play, Schröder dribbles back to the middle before crossing back left under a Tobias screen. Hart calls for the switch, and Brunson is late to react. That’s all the space he needed to fire off the eventual game winner.

The thing is, Schröder has been living in the spotlight for years.

Let me take you back to the 2023 FIBA World Cup, a disaster tournament for Team USA, who would end up losing the bronze medal game to an all-time performance from Dillon Brooks (39 points). Sure, the USA squad was weaker than what they’d normally send but beating the USA is the goal for every other nation, it doesn’t matter who’s in the jersey. You, dear reader, may not have watched a second of this tournament or even known of its existence, buried in the unfriendly American timeslot of being hosted in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

But why was the USA even in the bronze medal match to begin with? Who beat them in the semi-final? Why, Germany, of course, led by Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner. Interestingly, in that game, Schröder was only Germany’s fourth top scorer with 17 points (Andreas Obst had 24, Franz Wagner 22, and Daniel Theis 21), but he also had 9 assists and no turnovers.

Most importantly, though, was his fourth quarter, specifically the last minute of the game. The USA had drawn to within a point with 90 seconds left, after being down 10 at three-quarter time. Schröder assisted Obst on a three to bring the margin to four, before banging down a contested stepback midrange over Austin Reaves to increase the margin to six and effectively close the game out for Germany. Highlight plays? No not really. But hugely important steadying plays in a game Germany were every danger of being overrun? Unequivocally.

He would follow that game up with a 28 performance over a Serbia side inspired by Bogdan Bogdanovic (but admittedly without Nikola Jokic after his title run with Denver), en route to winning Germany their first ever gold medal and being named the tournament MVP. A year later he would act as a flagbearer for Germany at the Olympic Games and lead the men’s basketball team to the bronze medal match, where Jokic and Serbia would exact revenge, but Schröder’s personal performances would lead him to be named in the All-Star Five for the tournament.

The Pistons got Dennis Schröder to ice those key moments. In his short time here so far he’s made big shots to turn games, whether it be a critical drive through contact or a leaning banker, Schröder has owned his role as a leader of a young team and has embraced the dawg-pound culture it embodies.

Schröder has been moulded by the big stage. His MSG moment was merely the latest episode of his Broadway show.

Bring on Game 3.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...istons-dennis-schroder-is-here-for-the-moment
 
The Pindown: Back to Detroit!

Pindown_Article_Cover.0.jpg


Breaking down the 1st 2 games of the playoffs, Superhero Cade & more!

The Pistons and Knicks are deadlocked in a competitive playoff series that now heads back to the friendly grounds of Detroit, Michigan. The Pindown is here to break down exactly what the Pistons need to do to maintain home court advantage during these two games. Wes and Blake discuss Cade transforming into a superhero when the lights turn the brightest, why JB Bickerstaff deserves all the flowers and Tobias Harris’s impact so far. They assess the performance of both teams so far, diving into what has been most surprising for each.

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/2025/4/24/24415181/the-pindown-back-to-detroit
 
Back
Top