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Detroit Pistons’ Struggles Against the Milwaukee Bucks: A Closer Look
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) talks with the referee during a break in the action against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena.
| Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
In what was arguably the most crucial game for the Detroit Pistons in recent years, the team faced a disappointing defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks. This loss knocked them out of the in-season tournament and highlighted several areas of concern that need immediate attention.
The Foul Dilemma
One of the major talking points among fans has been the officiating and the number of fouls called during the game. However, it’s important to note that the Pistons had more free throw attempts than the Bucks, shooting 22 compared to Milwaukee’s 21. The foul count was also relatively close, with the Pistons committing 21 fouls to the Bucks’ 17. Complaining about the officiating, especially when the numbers don’t support a significant discrepancy, is not a valid excuse for the loss. Giannis Antetokounmpo, much like Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James, is a physical force on the court. Watching him live, it’s evident that he gets fouled almost every time he touches the ball. The Pistons’ inability to handle his physicality was a key factor in their defeat.
Defensive Shortcomings
The Pistons’ defense, which started the season strong, is beginning to show cracks. They simply don’t have the personnel to match up against a team like the Bucks. Starting Jalen Duren on Giannis and Tobias Harris on Brook Lopez was the best they could do, but it led to mismatches and foul trouble. Duren, for instance, was limited to just 19 minutes due to five fouls. The Pistons’ defensive rotations were also lacking, leading to open three-point shots for the Bucks, who capitalized by hitting 23 threes. The Pistons’ inability to guard the pick-and-roll effectively, especially against Giannis, further exposed their defensive vulnerabilities.
Offensive Struggles
Offensively, the Pistons failed to step up. Cade Cunningham, while efficient, needed to be more aggressive. In a game where the Pistons fell behind, Cunningham should have taken more than 16 shots. His passivity was a missed opportunity for the team to potentially keep the game competitive. The Pistons needed Cunningham to take charge and attempt to take over the game, even if it meant being less efficient. His free throw shooting, which has been subpar this season, also needs improvement.
The Pistons’ offensive woes were compounded by poor shot selection and decision-making from Jaden Ivey. The backcourt, which is supposed to be the team’s foundation, did not deliver in this crucial matchup. The Pistons need more from their key players to compete against top-tier teams like the Bucks.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pistons’ performance and prospects, tune into the Locked On Pistons podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pistons Podcast:
- Is the Pistons’ season starting to fall apart?
- A look ahead at the challenging schedule against the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks.
- The impact of Ausar Thompson’s minutes restriction on the team’s performance.
- Analysis of the Pistons’ defensive rotations and personnel challenges.
- The importance of Cade Cunningham’s leadership and scoring in crucial games.
Dec 1, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) attempts to secure the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina/Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The first thing I saw when I woke up this morning was a clip of Rockets coach, Ime Udoka, stalking toward referee John Goble and subsequently getting himself ejected. Udoka was incensed over the refs not calling a foul on behalf of Alperen Senguin, who drove to the basket through multiple instances of contact (and shoving) from Kings big, Domantas Sabonis.
The next thing I saw was a report that Rockets forward Tari Eason had run up into the stands after the game’s final whistle to confront a fan who heckled him as he was exiting through the tunnel.
As my brain stirred with the smell of coffee and I read about martial law unfolding and quickly thwarted by protestors and the political opposition in South Korea, I toggled my basketball opinion from This seems serious to It’s really not, regarding all the emotions spilling out on-court last night. This is what, by design, the In-Season Tournament was made for.
This part of the NBA season typically saw a taper of audience attention. The piqued interest of the season getting underway wanes, partially due to the predominantly American audience choosing NFL football over mid-week basketball. The NBA’s Christmas Day slate of games sees a viewership spike but otherwise the “stakes” don’t feel compelling to the casual fan until All-Star, and then again as the playoffs approach. Team owners and the Board of Governors panicked and thus: The NBA Cup was introduced.
Domineering corporate interest aside, the happy side effect of the In-Season Tournament has been higher stakes across the board, and not just from prize incentivization for players (though Josh Hart admitting he just wants a watch is also pretty funny). Young teams, teams on the competitive verge, and teams that may have been considered write-offs to start the season have for the most part used their NBA Cup nights as test runways for playing on a bigger stage and at a higher level. It didn’t necessarily work out for all of them (I had high hopes for the Spurs), but a glance at the Cup’s quarter finals bracket reveals a varied and interesting field of teams.
It’s both preposterous and cool that Warriors vs. Rockets is now a potential Western Conference playoff preview, and that the same goes in the East with Bucks vs. Magic. The Hawks and Knicks will be reunited in their rivalry, and the budding friction between the Mavs and Thunder, through the pestering of Luka Doncic by players who’ve all taken a page from his offensive book, is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
Friction, in good competition, is inevitable. It’s also partially the point. Certainly, coaches shouldn’t make a habit of hounding refs around the court but friction and competition, and friction in competition, don’t need to be negatives.
Two great examples of the symbiotic relationship between the two came in last night’s slate of knockout games. First, with the always expressive Draymond Green unable to hide his disdain from the sidelines as Nikola Jokic grabbed his face after coming down from collision under the rim with 14 seconds left in the game. Green was less actually distraught than sporting a classic “I’m not mad, just disappointed” look.
The second came in the chippy, high-intensity Rockets-Thunder match-up, with Dillon Brooks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander getting tangled up with each other when they both clamped down on the same loose ball. Neither let it go and they both went careening into the Rockets bench, with their teammates swirling behind. It eventually broke up in laughter because neither of them could keep a straight face, having as close a relationship as they do as teammates for Canada Basketball. When the refs swooped in en masse, Brooks and Gilgeous-Alexander assured them they were cool, everything was fine, and the game continued.
These are games that have gone from weeknight skips, better to relive watching through their highlights the next day, to must-see matches. The stakes range from funny to secondarily furious, tense to over-the-top; are stakes that still only exist in the insular world of NBA basketball, but there are stakes. It’s early December, and we have stakes.
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
Analysis Tari Eason and Amen Thompson’s defensive abilities are unmatched. (Defector)
News LeBron James is in one of the worst outside shooting slumps of his career. Is playing in all 82 games still doable? (ESPN)
Milestone The 4x NBA All-Star and 16 NBA season vet, Paul Millsap, announces retirement. (ESPN)
Analysis The Pistons’ Q1 progress report compared the team’s performance over the last two years, highlighting areas of improvement and ongoing challenges. See the analysis. (Detroit Bad Boys)
Fans The Pistons’ loss in the NBA Cup felt like a missed opportunity for the team and its supporters, reflecting a sense of what could have been. (Detroit Free Press)
Preview The Pistons head to Boston to take on the Celtics tonight at 7:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Saturday, Dec. 07 | 7:30 PM | Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) | Get Tickets
TBD @ Pistons (NBA Cup: Contigent game)
Saturday, Dec. 30 | 12:00 AM | Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, MI) | Get Tickets
Replay: Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Fantasy Basketball: Key Takeaways from Tuesday’s Games
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) falls to the ground after rolling his ankle against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant’s Ankle Injury: What It Means for Fantasy Managers
Kevin Durant’s recent ankle injury is a significant concern for fantasy basketball managers. Durant, who has been a cornerstone for many fantasy teams, left the game after just 16 minutes, scoring 13 points with four rebounds. This re-aggravation of a previous injury could mean time on the sidelines, impacting his availability in the coming weeks. Fantasy managers should consider potential replacements or temporary fill-ins, such as Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neal, who might see increased roles in Durant’s absence. However, neither is a must-add in standard leagues, but they could provide short-term value in deeper formats.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Player Performances
In the clash between the 76ers and Hornets, Paul George’s resurgence was a highlight. Despite playing 37 minutes, George’s performance—29 points, eight rebounds, and six three-pointers—showed signs of his former All-NBA self. However, with a back-to-back game on the horizon, his availability remains uncertain, making it crucial for fantasy managers to monitor his status closely.
Tyrese Maxey’s shooting struggles continued, but his ability to contribute in other areas, such as free throws and defense, keeps him relevant in fantasy lineups. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered a solid outing with 14 points and four three-pointers, making him a viable short-term option.
Charlotte Hornets’ Frontcourt Dynamics
The return of Mark Williams was a notable development, albeit with limited minutes. This situation presents a sell-high opportunity for Nick Richards, who posted an impressive 22 points and 14 rebounds. While there’s a chance Richards could outperform Williams, the Hornets’ long-term plans likely favour Williams, making Richards a potential trade candidate for savvy fantasy managers.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
How the Detroit Pistons’ Offense Falters Without Cade Cunningham Can the Detroit Pistons thrive without Cade Cunningham? As the NBA In-Season Tournament heats up, the Pistons face challenges that could define their season. With Cunningham sidelined, the team’s performance has been under scrutiny, raising questions about their offensive and defensive capabilities. Host Ku Khahil examines the Pistons’ recent games, highlighting the roles of Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson, and discusses the team’s evolving strategy in the face of adversity. The episode also explores the Pistons’ standing in the tournament, emphasizing the importance of upcoming matchups against the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks.
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Part 1: Bryce Simon Joins To Discuss First Quarter Of The Detroit Pistons Season Can the Detroit Pistons’ surprising defensive prowess propel them to new heights in the NBA? With a defensive rating that defies expectations, the Pistons, led by standout players Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, are making waves in the league. This episode features Bryce Simon, who provides an insider’s perspective on the team’s evolving dynamics.
