The Detroit Pistons were on the verge of winning their fifth game in seven outings for the first time since the 2021-22 season. Then the late-game blunders began Sunday against the Houston Rockets.
In the final 2 minutes, 40 seconds, the Pistons didn’t box out and allowed four Rockets offensive rebounds that resulted in six second-chance points. A Dillon Brooks dunk sandwiched between two Alperen Şengün putback layups were Houston’s final points aside from a made free throw.
Had Detroit put bodies on Rockets players, the team could have potentially walked away with a win rather than a 101-99 loss.
The Pistons’ self-inflicted wounds have become a recurring theme en route to a 4-7 record. They’ve lost five of those seven by eight points or fewer and have been outscored by a total of 22 points in those fourth quarters. During those five final frames, Detroit has allowed 3.4 offensive rebounds and turned the ball over 2.8 times.
Let’s break down some issues that have plagued the Pistons, beginning with their season-opening loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Loss to Pacers
Detroit entered the fourth quarter with a 90-82 lead over the Pacers. That is until Indiana scored on its first five possessions by way of four consecutive TJ McConnell layups and a Bennedict Mathurin stepback jumper. A Tyrese Haliburton finger roll gave the Pacers their first lead of the fourth at 99-98, and Indiana went on to outscore the Pistons 33-19 through the final 12 minutes to win 115-109.
More than turnovers or offensive rebounds in this fourth quarter, Detroit went cold offensively. The Pistons shot 5 of 20 from the field and 1 of 8 from 3-point range during the fourth. Subtract the eight points the Pistons scored from the free-throw line and they only mustered 11 from the field to close the game. Cade Cunningham took a team-high six shots in the fourth and made only one, which seemed to be a trend.
Seven Pistons players attempted a shot in the final frame, four made at least one and Jaden Ivey was the lone Detroit player to make multiple field goals.
While there are games when the metaphorical lid is on the rim, five of the Pacers’ 11 fourth-quarter baskets were layups. Detroit needed a better effort defensively and specifically around the rim.
Loss to Celtics
The end of the Pistons’ loss to the Boston Celtics felt eerily similar to their loss to Indiana. Detroit trailed the Celtics 94-93 at the end of the third and didn’t dig itself a hole too deep to climb out of. The Pistons had fewer turnovers and both teams had the same amount of offensive rebounds and rebounds total, and they went a perfect 13 of 13 from the free-throw line during the fourth.
The Celtics had a balanced scoring approach in the fourth quarter. Boston had four players score more than five points in the frame. Jayson Tatum led the way with eight points of the Celtics’ 30 fourth-quarter points. Malik Beasley (nine), Cunningham (seven) and Simone Fontecchio (five) were Detroit’s only scorers over five points that quarter.
#CelticsWin pic.twitter.com/KDo0YbMDp6
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 27, 2024
Tatum was the difference in the end. The five-time All-Star scored or assisted on 11 of Boston’s final 15 points to lead the Celtics to a 124-118 win. With second-year guard Ausar Thompson sidelined indefinitely due to an issue with blood clots during his rookie season, the Pistons are thin when it comes to wing defenders. Thompson is 6 foot 7, wiry and strong and gives Ivey a run for his money for the best athlete on the team.
While Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr. are listed at 6 foot 8 and 6 foot 5, respectively, neither are known for their defensive prowess. Rookie Ron Holland II, who is 6 foot 8 at 19, occasionally shows flashes of his defensive potential. But he’s still a rookie who is learning and not yet capable of presenting Tatum with formidable defense.
Loss to Heat
Detroit’s 106-98 loss to the Miami Heat was a blend of missed shots and turnovers.
The Pistons shot almost identical in the fourth to how they did in the same quarter during their season opener. They shot 6 of 22 from the field and 3 of 11 on 3-pointers.
Ivey led the way for the Pistons with nine points in the quarter. Both he and Cunningham were the only Detroit players to make multiple field goals in the fourth. However, Cunningham was careless with the ball in the fourth, notching three of the team’s four giveaways. The Pistons also were slightly outrebounding Miami in the quarter, winning the battle on the boards 16-13.
Jimmy Butler posted a team-high seven of his 23 points in the fourth. Guard Terry Rozier added six points during the final 12 minutes on 2-of-3 shooting from 3-point range. This was another late-game scenario Detroit would’ve benefitted from having wing depth with defensive upside.
Loss to Hornets
The loss to the Charlotte Hornets is the most obvious example of failing to box out as Brandon Miller won the game on a putback layup. Miller waltzed into the lane untouched to put Detroit in the loss column once again. LaMelo Ball had been the topic of discussion before Miller’s game winner, and Ball was the only player in that contest to post double-figure scoring in the fourth alone.
Runnin’ it back at the Hive tomorrow!
🎟️: https://t.co/FFixN2RIVo | #HiveMentality pic.twitter.com/awLS9uPAeg
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) November 7, 2024
Ball’s 15 fourth-quarter points propelled the Hornets to be in position for Miller to save the day. Ball played the entire fourth, went 6 of 12 from the field and 3 of 5 from long range. But despite Ball’s efforts, the Pistons still had a chance to win the game after a clutch steal and transition layup from Holland.
Loss to Rockets
As mentioned previously, the Rockets scored their last six points on back-to-back-to-back offensive rebounds. It boils down to discipline and effort with this team. Detroit enters Monday’s games averaging 17.3 turnovers per game, which is 28th. That isn’t a recipe for sustained winning.
The Pistons without a doubt have shown growth this season. But if they want to take the next step, they must limit turnovers and their opponents’ offensive rebounds. Detroit hosts the Heat on Tuesday for a chance to even the season series and begin the 2024 NBA Cup with a win.
(Photo of JB Bickerstaff: Lon Horwedel / Imagn Images)
