Where J.B. Bickerstaff deserves the most credit in Detroit Pistons turnaround
Bryce and Omari on “The Pistons Pulse” podcast discuss the unexpected pace of play and how J.B. Bickerstaff is adjusting to the roster’s strengths.
Cade Cunningham missed his second-straight game on Tuesday, but you wouldn’t have known from the final score.
The Detroit Pistons handled business at Little Caesars Arena, defeating the San Antonio Spurs, 122-96, for their second-straight win. With the victory, the Pistons (41-32 overall) have officially clinched at least a .500 record for the first time since 2018-19, when they finished exactly 41-41 overall.
On Friday, they’ll host the Cleveland Cavaliers with a chance to secure their first winning record since 2015-16 (44-38). Another win would also triple last season’s win total of 14-68 — the worst in franchise history — and add another cherry to what’s already been the most impressive Pistons season in nearly two decades.
They won the second period by 18 points, and a pair of buckets from Jalen Duren (14 points, seven assists) to lead off the second half extended their lead to 30. The Spurs, who have lost franchise players Victor Wembanyama (right shoulder; deep vein thrombosis) and De’Aaron Fox (left fifth finger; extensor tendon surgery) or the season, were held to 10-for-45 overall (22.2%) shooting in the first half.
Meanwhile the Pistons (23-for-39, 59%) had one of their best offensive halves of the season, allowing them to take a 26-point lead into halftime.
Marcus Sasser led them in scoring with a career-high 24 points (9-for-12 overall, 5-for-7). Tim Hardaway Jr. returned after missing Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans with a right ankle sprain. Cunningham, who was listed as questionable before tip-off, is dealing with a left calf contusion. Dennis Schroder started in his place.
Pistons completely dominate second quarter
Sandro Mamukelashvili opened the period with a 3-pointer at the 11:20 mark. The Spurs’ next field goal wasn’t until 31 seconds remained before halftime, a layup from Vassell.
In between, they missed 17-consecutive shots. It was an impressive stint of defense that allowed the Pistons to put the game away in the first half. They outscored the Spurs 30-12 in the second-quarter, shooting 12-for-18 (66.6%) overall while holding them to 2-for-19 (10.5%).
The Pistons’ top-two defenders, Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson, led the charge. The latter sparked the Pistons’ two-way play with a pair of steals – the first leading to a 3-point play on the other end by Duren, the second allowing Hardaway Jr. to cut baseline in transition for a layup.
Stewart fired up his teammates, and the crowd, when he met Stephon Castle in midair to reject his dunk attempt. The Pistons, one of the league’s top defenses, were coming off of consecutive poor defensive performances against the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks. On Tuesday, they got back on track.
Sasser stays efficient off bench
After scoring 11 points in the first quarter, Vassell (26 points) began cooking again in the second half. He scored 10 points to lead a 28-13 Spurs run, cutting a 30-point Pistons lead to 15, 77-62 with a pullup 3-pointer.
Sasser provided the response the Pistons needed, immediately knocking down a 3-pointer on the other end. He checked in midway through the third and picked up where he left off in the first half, during which he scored 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting in just 14 minutes. And that was a continuation of his performance on Sunday, in which he finished with 20 points on just nine shots.
He scored nine points in the third quarter and helped stabilize the Pistons with a pair of free throws with 12 seconds on the clock, pushing the lead back to 22 shortly before the final period started. Schroder’s arrival at the trade deadline cut into Sasser’s minutes, but he’s capitalized on his opportunity with Cunningham out.
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Next up: Cavaliers
Matchup: Pistons (41-32) vs. Cleveland (57-14 entering Tuesday).
Tipoff: 7 p.m. Friday; Little Caesars Arena, Detroit.
TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Extra; WWJ-AM (950).
