Ku Khahil here, the host of the daily Locked On Pistons podcast, with your daily Locked On Pistons newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pistons and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Detroit Pistons’ Late-Game Struggles: A Recurring Theme
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) takes the ball into the key against the Houston Rockets in the fourth quarter at Little Caesars Arena
|Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons have once again found themselves on the losing end of a game they had every chance to win. Facing the Houston Rockets, the Pistons fell short with a 101-99 loss, marking yet another instance of late-game collapse. This pattern is becoming all too familiar, and it’s a concern that needs addressing if the team hopes to make a serious push for the playoffs.
Offensive Rebounds and Execution Woes
One of the glaring issues in the Pistons’ recent loss was their inability to secure defensive rebounds, particularly in the fourth quarter. The Rockets capitalized on this weakness, grabbing multiple offensive boards and converting them into second-chance points. This inability to control the glass has been a recurring problem, and it’s costing the Pistons games they should be winning.
The offensive execution down the stretch was another area where the Pistons faltered. Despite Cade Cunningham’s efforts, including a crucial and-one play, the team struggled to maintain their lead. Jaden Ivey, who had his worst game of the season, made several poor decisions in the final minutes, contributing to the Pistons’ downfall. The team must find a way to execute better in these critical moments if they want to turn these close losses into wins.
Cade Cunningham’s Role and the Need for Consistency
Cade Cunningham has been a bright spot for the Pistons, showing signs of taking the next step in his development. He’s been more engaged defensively and has improved his shooting within the paint. However, the team needs to ensure that Cunningham remains the focal point of their offense in crunch time. His ability to create opportunities for his teammates is invaluable, and going away from him in key moments is a mistake the Pistons can’t afford to make.
The Pistons have invested heavily in improving their shooting, yet their performance from beyond the arc has been underwhelming. Shooting just 32% from deep in the game against the Rockets, the team needs to find consistency in this area. With the roster built around shooters, this aspect of their game must start to deliver.
The Pistons’ late-game struggles are a significant hurdle in their quest for a playoff spot. If they continue to let winnable games slip away, it could cost them dearly at the end of the season. The team must address their rebounding issues and ensure that Cunningham remains central to their offensive strategy. For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pistons’ challenges and potential solutions, tune into the Locked On Pistons podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pistons Podcast:
- Is Cade Cunningham taking the next step in his development?
- The impact of Jaden Ivey’s performance on the team’s success
- Analyzing the Pistons’ shooting woes and potential fixes
- The importance of defensive rebounding in close games
37 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists. The first NBA player to reach these numbers in a game, and Nikola Jokic did it on a Sunday night in Denver, snowy pockets of flurries settling over the city. I wish I’d been collecting these stat lines all along, or had thought to make a note on the calendar when they happened. I’d like to see if there’s a pattern, though I’ve got a hunch that the dates would come to mean less than what the volume of them proves: in Jokic’s hands, the unprecedented becomes routine.
It starts with his skill, we know this. But let’s zero in on how he carries himself around the floor, how he moves. Jokic lopes, jogs, shuffles, occasionally bops, tends to move laterally more than he does in a direct line. It all serves to create an illusion that he’s slow and behind the pace. It’s why so many have a difficult time categorizing what it is he’s doing — he doesn’t work the way a basketball player does, tends to be the refrain. It’s because he looks, most of the time, relaxed
He can also appear pressed, like there’s someplace else he’d rather be. This is not the kind of approach we like to see from our stars. If they don’t look dialled in, if it doesn’t look strenuous at least some of the time, we tend to distrust their effort and skill. But Jokic’s arduousness is some of my favourite in the league, because it presents at our expense. And indeed, it must be exhausting to prove nearly every night that you can manipulate the game at every level.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Replay In a gripping finish, the Pistons fell to the Rockets in the final seconds. It was a hard-fought game, but Detroit couldn’t secure the win. (Detroit Bad Boys)
Recap Despite Cade Cunningham’s impressive performance, the Pistons were defeated by the Atlanta Hawks. Cunningham scored 30 points, but it wasn’t enough to clinch the victory. (Freep)
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Basketball Managers
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) holds his leg after a hard following a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Managers
Sunday’s NBA action took a concerning turn for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Chet Holmgren, their promising young centre, suffered a hip injury just five minutes into the game against the Golden State Warriors. This incident has left both the team and fantasy managers in a state of uncertainty, as Holmgren’s presence on the court has been pivotal.
The Impact of Holmgren’s Injury
Holmgren’s injury occurred during an attempt to contest a dunk, resulting in a hard fall that left him limping off the court. The Thunder have since reported it as a hip injury, but the full extent and severity remain unclear. Given Holmgren’s importance to the Thunder’s lineup, any absence could significantly impact their performance, especially considering their current lack of depth at the centre position.
Potential Replacements and Adjustments
In the wake of Holmgren’s injury, the Thunder may need to rely on a smaller lineup, as they did against the Warriors. This could mean increased minutes for players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, who might see more court time and opportunities to contribute. In deeper leagues, Ousmane Dieng could also be considered for a temporary boost, though none are likely to replicate Holmgren’s production. Fantasy managers might consider these short-term pickups, but it’s crucial to temper expectations, as the Thunder’s rotation could remain fluid.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
How Detroit Pistons Shocked The Lakers With A Stunning Victory The Detroit Pistons delivered a surprising upset against the Los Angeles Lakers, showcasing the talents of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the court, the Pistons’ young stars shone brightly, particularly in the fourth quarter where Ivey scored 11 points off Cunningham’s assists.
Detroit Pistons Suffer Worst Loss Of Season At The Buzzer To LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets The Detroit Pistons suffered a crushing defeat against the Charlotte Hornets, losing control in the final moments. Could this be their most disappointing loss of the season? With Cade Cunningham taking only two shots in the fourth quarter, questions arise about his role in closing games. The Pistons’ struggle with three-point shooting, hitting just 33% this season, is another pressing issue.
Cade Cunningham And Jaden Ivey: Can They Lead The Detroit Pistons? Can Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey lead the Detroit Pistons to success? These young stars are proving their synergy on the court, boasting impressive stats when playing together. Despite the Pistons’ unexpected rise to 13th in defensive rating, their offensive struggles persist, ranking them in the league’s bottom 10.
