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Detroit Sports Renaissance: Pistons’ Resurgence Mirrors City’s Sporting Revival
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives past Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) in the fourth quarter at Little Caesars Arena.
| Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons have clawed their way back to .500, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers in a nail-biting 118-115 victory. This win marks their fourth consecutive triumph and solidifies their position as genuine playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference.
As a long-time observer of Detroit sports, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement. The Pistons’ resurgence is part of a broader renaissance in Detroit sports that’s electrifying the city. Just a year ago, the team endured its worst season in franchise history. Now, they’re tied for the seventh seed in the East and breathing down the necks of the fifth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks.
This turnaround isn’t happening in isolation. The Detroit Lions have secured the top seed in the NFC, hosting playoff games at home. The Tigers showed promise last season, and even the Red Wings are generating buzz among hockey fans. It’s a far cry from the recent years when Detroit was often labeled as one of the most disappointing sports towns in America.
The Pistons’ success is built on a foundation of young talent and veteran leadership. Cade Cunningham is emerging as a bona fide star, garnering national attention from major sports networks. His performance against the Trail Blazers – 32 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds – showcases why he’s the cornerstone of this franchise.
But it’s not just about the young guns. Veterans like Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley, and Tobias Harris have stepped up in crucial moments. THJ’s hot shooting streaks, Beasley’s clutch three-pointer with 54 seconds left, and Harris’s consistent scoring have been instrumental in the team’s recent success.
What makes this period particularly exciting for Detroit sports fans is the proximity of all the stadiums. Within a square block, you have the Lions, Pistons, Tigers, and Red Wings playing. The energy is palpable, with players from different teams showing up to support each other. It’s creating a unified sports culture that the city has been craving.
While it’s important not to get ahead of ourselves – after all, we haven’t won any championships yet – there’s an undeniable sense of hope permeating through Detroit sports. The Pistons’ journey from the cellar to .500 is more than just a statistical improvement; it’s a symbol of the city’s resilience and potential.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pistons’ resurgence and its impact on Detroit’s sporting landscape, tune into the Locked On Pistons podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pistons Podcast:
• Detailed breakdown of the Pistons vs. Trail Blazers game
• The impact of veteran players on the Pistons’ recent success
• Analysis of Cade Cunningham’s stellar performance
Have we already seen a Finals preview to start 2025?
Jan 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center. | Alonzo Adams/Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
It’s just one game, I whisper to myself, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander launches a three with lofty clearance over Jrue Holiday.
It’s just one game, I say, shaking my head as if to clear it when Isaiah Joe on a fastbreak flings the ball around Sam Hauser in hot pursuit, giving Hauser a ring of Saturn in basketball form for a split second, to Aaron Wiggins, shadowing them, for a tidy pop-up shot.
It’s just one game, I say, voice rising, whenGilgeous-Alexander pins the ball, barely out of Tatum’s hand, against the backboard for a block and then, immediately at the other end, lobs it to Isaiah Hartenstein for a dunk.
Sunday’s match between the Thunder and Celtics was just one game, and it’s only just January, but the contest showed what could very believably be a Finals preview. It also showed how OKC can aim to beat Boston in a series.
The Celtics are a machine, and like a machine, they are mechanical. Their dominance comes through the intuitive, expert understanding of what they are good at and how to deploy it, and what they are good at is launching threes. In Sunday’s game, the Celtics took 46 3-pointers. While they only made nine of them (for comparison, the Thunder were 16-of-38 from three), Boston is still shooting the most from deep in the league — sometimes as any as 20 more than their opponents over the course of a game.
The teams that are seeing success in recent wins over the Celtics aren’t necessarily attempting to limit Boston’s three-point attempts. With so many players capable of shooting the three ball it’s a futile effort and expends a lot of wasted energy. What they are doing, and what the Thunder did, is find ways to momentarily jam the machines.
The Thunder moved the ball more, they pressured Boston in the midrange and under the basket, they looked for any gap in the machine’s cogs they could wedge themselves into. Boston used to be way more susceptible to flustering, they abhorred a team that played a messy, gritty, or in any way abrasive style. It’s why the Heat have been so good at beating them in the postseason, because those Miami teams stopped at nothing to make things miserable and didn’t mind playing knee deep in the muck.
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
Preview The Detroit Pistons’ upcoming game against the Portland Trail Blazers will feature Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway, and Jalen Duren. Find out more about the game time, TV details, and odds here. (Detroit Bad Boys)
Roster The Detroit Pistons’ matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers will highlight key players like Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway, and Jalen Duren. Learn more about their roles and expectations here. (Detroit Bad Boys)
Rumor Potential new deals are on the horizon as the latest trade targets are evaluated. Explore which Pistons players might be on the move here. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis Who would take the last shot in a Game 7 for the Detroit Pistons? Dive into strategic insights and expert opinions on clutch players here. (Bleacher Report)
Jan 5, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz guard Brice Sensabaugh (28) is interviewed by Seg Media reporter, Lauren Green following a game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images | Russell Lansford/Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
One of the most intriguing developments on Sunday came from the Utah Jazz, where rookie Brice Sensabaugh has suddenly burst onto the scene with a scoring explosion.
Sensabaugh dropped 27 points against the Orlando Magic, following up a 34-point performance in his previous outing. That’s a staggering 61 points over two games for a player who had been largely off the fantasy radar. His usage rate has skyrocketed to over 30% in these contests, and he’s been scorching hot from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 17 three-point attempts.
However, before we rush to add Sensabaugh in all leagues, it’s crucial to examine the context of his breakout. The Jazz were missing several key players, including Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson. This opened up a significant opportunity for Sensabaugh to showcase his scoring prowess.
The sustainability of Sensabaugh’s production is questionable. His three-point shooting percentage is bound to regress, and when the Jazz get healthier, his minutes and usage are likely to decrease. That said, he’s shown enough to warrant consideration as a streaming option in deeper leagues, particularly when Utah is shorthanded.
Click the button below for more insights, including another Thunder player to keep an eye on for your fantasy roster.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
Detroit Pistons Success Forcing POBO Trajan Langdon To Re-Evaluate Immediate Plan Can the Detroit Pistons maintain their surprising momentum in the NBA? With unexpected success this season, the Pistons are turning heads, and fans are buzzing about their potential playoff run. This episode dives into the Detroit Pistons’ impressive performance, exploring potential trade strategies and the impact of key players like Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris. Discover how veteran players have stepped up in Jaden Ivey’s absence, and why Cunningham is being touted as a future All-Star.
Cade Cunningham’s All-NBA Potential for Detroit Pistons After Defeating New York Knicks Cade Cunningham dazzles as the Detroit Pistons secure a thrilling victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. With Cunningham’s All-NBA level performance, the Pistons are making waves in the basketball world. Can this momentum propel them into a deep playoff run?
Explore how Isaiah Stewart’s defensive prowess and Malik Beasley’s shooting brilliance reshaped the Pistons’ strategy.
Detroit Pistons’ Trade Deadline: Will Cade Cunningham Influence Moves? Can the Detroit Pistons make a splash at the trade deadline? With Cade Cunningham’s standout performances and the team’s unexpected success, the Pistons are poised for strategic moves that could reshape their season. This episode features insights from Hunter Patterson, a beat writer for The Athletic, who shares insider perspectives on the Pistons’ locker room dynamics and the impact of head coach JB Bickerstaff’s unique approach. Discover how the young roster, including players like Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson, is evolving under Bickerstaff’s leadership.
