Detroit Bad Boys - All PostsA community of Detroit Pistons fans since 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48119/detroitbadboys-fave.png2024-03-18T21:35:22-04:00http://www.detroitbadboys.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T21:35:22-04:002024-03-18T21:35:22-04:00Pistons vs. Celtics final score: Shorthanded Pistons demolished in Boston
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<img alt="NBA: Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ccpd0xjyZVgVf4irmLd7sfd0xRI=/2x0:4804x3201/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216795/usa_today_22808120.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>No Cade. No Fontecchio. Did you expect anything less?</p> <p id="bUyRkF">The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a> may have been without Cade Cunningham and Simone Fontecchio in Boston against the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics</a> on Monday night, but there were reasons to be excited.</p>
<p id="5QcmiS">What would Jaden Ivey look like as The Man in the starting lineup? Would Marcus Sasser do well with an expanded role? Does Jalen Duren’s recent offensive success still carry over without Cade around?</p>
<p id="Jj295l">Well, none of those things went particularly well. </p>
<p id="tFdfva">Ivey had a meh 21 points, Sasser was outplayed by Peyton Pritchard, and Jalen Duren looked a hell of a lot less demonstrative. Oh, and the Pistons rolled over in the second half, losing a laugher to the Celtics, 119-94.</p>
<p id="RKda1Z">I really had high hopes for Ivey tonight. His jumper has been such a mess for the last month or two, but I thought the lead ball handler role would help give him a little more confidence. It did, in some ways, as he knocked down 10 of his 19 shots.</p>
<p id="qNYqF9">But he didn’t really do anything else. It was just an empty offensive outing until some token assists when the game was <em>very</em> out of reach late.</p>
<p id="WpWvWz">In his defense, Sasser did a lot the playmaking stuff that I hoped Ivey would, finishing with six assists, but he couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat. I’m still not sure what the role is for him on this team. Feels like he needs the ball in his hands, which is tough because so do Ivey and, to a lesser extent, Cade.</p>
<p id="wDVHjD">Duren was just a guy. His offense and rebounding weren’t good enough to offset the defense, which wasn’t as egregious tonight as it was last game. With his general lack of energy on D, he had no chance guarding a big man like Kristaps Porzingis.</p>
<p id="wxjgLF">The big man had 20 for the Celtics while Derrick White had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to notch his first career triple-double. He nailed six threes as the Pistons were unable to phase him in the slightest. It was an embarrassing showing for any guard who tried to take on that match up.</p>
<p id="n79t6r">Whatever the opposite of “rising to the challenge” is, that was what the Pistons guards did against White tonight.</p>
<p id="5iRVTn">James Wiseman continued his little Killian-Hayes-in-Winter-2022 revival tour tonight with 12 points and five rebounds. I’m at peace with the idea that he’s coming back — nothing I can do about that — but I just hope he comes back as the third center in 2024-25.</p>
<p id="FeakHr">Not sure there’s anything else to cover, really. The Pistons were lifeless. </p>
<p id="jO1Dfb">Let us know what caught your eye — good or bad — in the comments.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2024/3/18/24105448/pistons-vs-celtics-final-score-shorthanded-pistons-demolished-in-boston-nbaBrady Fredericksen2024-03-18T18:38:09-04:002024-03-18T18:38:09-04:00Pistons vs. Celtics GameThread: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More
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<img alt="Detroit Pistons v Boston Celtics" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vuGDI_lKxm7neU_2t-vhj1vTlN0=/0x0:6804x4536/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216569/1891134278.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cade Cunningham and Simone Fontecchio join Detroit’s injury list</p> <p id="FolyuO">The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a> are entering tonight’s matchup against what might be the NBA’s best team in the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Boston Celtics</a>, and they are doing it severely depleted. Cade Cunningham and Simone Fontecchio are out tonight against the Celtics. Cunningham is being rested for continued knee management. Fontecchio, who had excelled in a starting role in place of the injured Ausar Thompson, is out with a toe contusion. Thompson remains out with what is thought to be an asthma-related issue and Quentin Grimes is out with a right knee contusion. The Celtics aren’t exactly beacons of health either. Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable and Jrue Holiday, Sam Hauser and Al Horford are all out with various ailments. </p>
<p id="GFmoeJ">Let’s talk about knees briefly. Cade’s shot hasn’t looked quite right recently, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the knee is a real issue that is limiting his effectiveness. His 3-ball has gone from around 38% to 33% to 25% in the course of the past 15 games. Cunningham is also shooting sub-50% in the restricted area in his past 15 games. His ability to finish at the rim despite a lack of explosion was one of the signs throughout the season that Cade had really turned a corner. To see it regress recently is disappointing and, I think, points to more of a health/strength issue than an ability issue. </p>
<p id="HtOzp6">Grimes's knee issue, meanwhile, seems like it is likely to linger for the rest of this season. That’s unfortunate because it’d be nice to see how Grimes fits into this mishmash of an offense, and it would be good to see him build up some chemistry with his teammates. Grimes suffered a subluxation of his right patella on Feb. 26 while still with the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">New York Knicks</a>. That’s, I believe, a fancy way of saying he had a partial knee dislocation. I’m not worried about this long-term, but I’m not very hopeful we’ll get a look at what Grimes can really bring to the Pistons rotation until next season. </p>
<p id="CVqemh">The game is also notable because on the Celtics broadcast side of the ledger, there will be an all-female crew including Zora Stephenson on play-by-play, with Abby Chin and Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington as gam analysts. ESPN’s Kayla Burton will also serve as an in-game sideline reporter at TD Garden. The pre-, mid-, and postgame will be hosted by Amina Smith, Connecticut Sun team president Jennifer Rizzotti, and Boston Celtics Scout and Maine Celtics assistant GM Ashley Battle. </p>
<h2 id="9mcdqY">Game Vitals</h2>
<p id="0drXVp"><strong>When:</strong> 7:30 p.m. ET<br><strong>Where:</strong> TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts <br><strong>Watch:</strong> Bally Sports Detroit<br><strong>Odds:</strong> Pistons +16</p>
<h2 id="LeiDOd">Projected Lineups </h2>
<h4 id="5NohI6">Detroit Pistons (12-55)</h4>
<p id="7yLTP3">Jaden Ivey, Evan Fournier, Stanley Umude(?), Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren</p>
<h4 id="Hyu0Jo">Boston Celtics (53-14)</h4>
<p id="R58Rv5">Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Svi Mykhailiuk, Oshae Brissett, Kristaps Porzingis</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2024/3/18/24105318/detroit-pistons-vs-boston-celtics-gamethread-game-time-tv-odds-and-moreSean Corp2024-03-18T09:00:00-04:002024-03-18T09:00:00-04:002024 NBA Draft: Top 45, March Madness watch guide
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<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 15 SEC Tournament - Kentucky vs Texas A&amp;M" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/50CBcwXvWqagqhwfPtZs-dXd8PM=/0x597:2989x2590/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214891/2079446980.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>For Pistons fans who don’t watch college ball until the NCAA Tournament, here’s your guide.</p> <p id="6Bb3iv">An updated look at my draft board is here, although not much has changed at the top where the Detroit Pistons will likely be making their first selection.</p>
<p id="MHTlHQ">There used to be just one collegiate player in the top three but that’s now zero after Alexandre Sarr has overtaken Cody Williams.</p>
<p id="aIwR6s">Kentucky is the team to watch in the NCAA Tournament if you’re looking for prospects. </p>
<p id="Z4yQKL">Big Blue Nation boasts two guards in my top six with a couple other Wildcats appearing on the back half of today’s top 45.</p>
<p id="Q1JATX">So here’s the order along with info on how to watch each in March Madness where applicable — and remember, this order is subject to change with the draft still months away.</p>
<h4 id="pduZaM">1. Zaccharie Risacher, 6-foot-8 from JL Bourg in France</h4>
<h4 id="edejMC">2. Nikola Topic, 6-foot-6 from Red Star in Serbia</h4>
<h4 id="ca1tzW">3. Alexandre Sarr, 7-foot-1 from Perth Wildcats in Australia</h4>
<h4 id="hzPyGH">4. Reed Sheppard, 6-foot-3 from Kentucky</h4>
<p id="HBNBIL"><em>First tournament game: No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 14 Oakland on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. (all times Eastern) on CBS</em></p>
<h4 id="mSKcvt">5. Cody Williams, 6-foot-8 from Colorado</h4>
<p id="iSU0Cx"><em>No. 10 Colorado vs. No. 10 Boise State on Wednesday at 9:10 p.m. on truTV</em></p>
<h4 id="TFEam4">6. Rob Dillingham, 6-foot-2 from Kentucky</h4>
<p id="wF5det"><em>No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 14 Oakland on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. on CBS</em></p>
<h4 id="V8kDu3">7. Ja’Kobe Walter, 6-foot-5 from Baylor</h4>
<p id="BxpEYj"><em>No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 14 Colgate on Friday at 12:40 p.m. on truTV</em></p>
<h4 id="hC7DBI">8. Stephon Castle, 6-foot-6 from UConn</h4>
<p id="K9p7kI"><em>No. 1 UConn vs. No. 16 Stetson on Friday at 2:45 p.m. on CBS</em></p>
<h4 id="3cH7Kw">9. Matas Buzelis, 6-foot-10 from Ignite in G League</h4>
<h4 id="Sm42DM">10. Isaiah Collier, 6-foot-4 from USC</h4>
<h4 id="sgFdxe">11. Ron Holland, 6-foot-9 from Ignite in G League</h4>
<h4 id="HTQt3N">12. Jared McCain, 6-foot-3 from Duke</h4>
<p id="BtKgR4"><em>No. 3 Duke vs. No. 13 Vermont on Friday at 7:10 p.m. on CBS</em></p>
<h4 id="ZsBHyU">13. Dalton Knecht, 6-foot-6 from Tennessee</h4>
<p id="Xd92J5"><em>No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Saint Peter’s at 9:20 p.m. on TNT</em></p>
<h4 id="iaANmm">14. Izan Almansa, 6-foot-10 from Ignite in G League</h4>
<h4 id="0VxdhN">15. Tidjane Salaun, 6-foot-9 from Cholet in France</h4>
<h4 id="yZoRp7">16. Kevin McCullar Jr., 6-foot-7 from Kansas</h4>
<p id="KxCxfc"><em>No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 Samford on Thursday at 9:55 p.m. on TBS</em></p>
<h4 id="splQJt">17. Tyler Smith, 6-foot-10 from Ignite in G League</h4>
<h4 id="78410v">18. Donovan Clingan, 7-foot-2 from UConn</h4>
<p id="qDaF9o"><em>No. 1 UConn vs. No. 16 Stetson on Friday at 2:45 p.m. on CBS</em></p>
<h4 id="Tvk19f">19. Milan Momcilovic, 6-foot-8 from Iowa State</h4>
<p id="kYJRMM"><em>No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 15 South Dakota State on Thursday at 7:35 p.m. on truTV</em></p>
<h4 id="2rQgmj">20. Yves Missi, 7-foot from Baylor</h4>
<p id="Ar41kt"><em>No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 14 Colgate on Friday at 12:40 p.m. on truTV</em></p>
<h4 id="eMNyHs">21. Oso Ighodaro, 6-foot-11 from Marquette</h4>
<p id="vsVgAw"><em>No. 2 Marquette vs. No. 15 Western Kentucky on Friday at 2 p.m. on TBS</em></p>
<h4 id="ltKFWR">22. Trey Alexander, 6-foot-3 from Creighton</h4>
<p id="yq25wI"><em>No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 14 Akron on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. on TNT (first top-45 game in Round of 64)</em></p>
<h4 id="assf1T">23. DaRon Holmes II, 6-foot-10 from Dayton</h4>
<p id="FlsBVy"><em>No. 7 Dayton vs. No. 10 Nevada on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. on TBS</em></p>
<h4 id="89GrP7">24. Kyle Filipowski, 6-foot-11 from Duke</h4>
<p id="U1DafT"><em>No. 3 Duke vs. No. 13 Vermont on Friday at 7:10 p.m. on CBS</em></p>
<h4 id="1l9qV3">25. Johnny Furphy, 6-foot-9 from Kansas</h4>
<p id="TrtTqD"><em>No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 Samford on Thursday at 9:55 p.m. on TBS</em></p>
<h4 id="VPIZH3">26. Tyler Kolek, 6-foot-3 from Marquette</h4>
<p id="NlGbRG"><em>No. 2 Marquette vs. No. 15 Western Kentucky on Friday at 2 p.m. on TBS</em></p>
<h4 id="Tb8faa">27. Justin Edwards, 6-foot-7 from Kentucky</h4>
<p id="NIkhww"><em>No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 14 Oakland on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. on CBS</em></p>
<h4 id="YWJb3a">28. Ryan Dunn, 6-foot-8 from Virginia</h4>
<p id="X4G2oT"><em>No. 10 Virginia vs. No. 10 Colorado State on Tuesday at 9:10 p.m. on truTV</em></p>
<h4 id="YalRIa">29. Tristan da Silva, 6-foot-9 from Colorado</h4>
<p id="LjbKA0"><em>No. 10 Colorado vs. No. 10 Boise State on Wednesday at 9:10 p.m. on truTV</em></p>
<h4 id="LMokNu">30. Dillon Jones, 6-foot-6 from Weber State</h4>
<h4 id="YusmGp">31. Tristen Newton, 6-foot-5 from UConn</h4>
<p id="2jw5v3"><em>No. 1 UConn vs. No. 16 Stetson on Friday at 2:45 p.m. on CBS</em></p>
<h4 id="ZdrbOr">32. Harrison Ingram, 6-foot-7 from UNC</h4>
<p id="Emwb9l"><em>No. 1 UNC vs. No. 16 Wagner/Howard on Thursday at 2:45 p.m. on CBS</em></p>
<h4 id="xGdk68">33. Devin Carter, 6-foot-3 from Providence</h4>
<h4 id="hMj1yE">34. Kyshawn George, 6-foot-8 from Miami</h4>
<h4 id="qVa4f0">35. KJ Simpson, 6-foot-2 from Colorado</h4>
<p id="S32wbk"><em>No. 10 Colorado vs. No. 10 Boise State on Wednesday at 9:10 p.m. on truTV</em></p>
<h4 id="xpijiX">36. Pacome Dadiet, 6-foot-7 from Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany</h4>
<h4 id="RPwQCX">37. DJ Wagner, 6-foot-4 from Kentucky</h4>
<p id="2ZoFnp"><em>No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 14 Oakland on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. on CBS</em></p>
<h4 id="WE0nSF">38. Baylor Scheierman, 6-foot-6 from Creighton</h4>
<p id="wu4hBT"><em>No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 14 Akron on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. on TNT</em></p>
<h4 id="kkZYB9">39. Tyon Grant-Foster, 6-foot-7 from Grand Canyon</h4>
<p id="AHfpKu"><em>No. 12 Grand Canyon vs. No. 5 Saint Mary’s on Friday at 10:05 p.m. on truTV</em></p>
<h4 id="tZs8o1">40. Jalen Bridges, 6-foot-7 from Baylor</h4>
<p id="RvrFQW"><em>No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 14 Colgate on Friday at 12:40 p.m. on truTV</em></p>
<h4 id="5Kt46W">41. Jackson Shelstad, 6-foot from Oregon</h4>
<p id="b80c53"><em>No. 11 Oregon vs. No. 6 South Carolina on Thursday at 4 p.m. on TNT</em></p>
<h4 id="EdNfGg">42. Wooga Poplar, 6-foot-5 from Miami</h4>
<h4 id="son8MJ">43. Cam Spencer, 6-foot-4 from UConn</h4>
<p id="sRlwXB"><em>No. 1 UConn vs. No. 16 Stetson on Friday at 2:45 p.m. on CBS</em></p>
<h4 id="TFguz3">44. Blake Hinson, 6-foot-8 from Pitt</h4>
<h4 id="4G0Fg6">45. Jaelen House, 6-foot-1 from New Mexico</h4>
<p id="mQkWuH"><em>No. 11 New Mexico vs. No. 6 Clemson on Friday at 3:10 p.m. on truTV</em></p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/detroit-pistons-nba-draft-big-board/2024/3/18/24104647/2024-nba-draft-top-45-march-madness-watch-guideDamon Allred2024-03-17T17:30:28-04:002024-03-17T17:30:28-04:00Final: Bam Adebayo’s 30-foot buzzer beater downs Detroit
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<img alt="Miami Heat v Detroit Pistons" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vH8g7VXT6GM2YY4M5wqcpiSQdLQ=/0x0:4144x2763/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213702/2084801907.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cade Cunningham had opportunity to hold the ball for the last shot with the game tied</p> <p id="YcKNGH">Winning teams make winning plays and winning decisions. On a night when the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a>’ 2004 title team was celebrated, Detroit’s franchise player, Cade Cunningham, did not make the winning play. It resulted in the Pistons falling to the Miami Heat 104-101 on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Bam Adebayo. </p>
<p id="y1Fnm2">The Pistons were down five until a driving Cunningham found Isaiah Stewart in the corner for a three. Detroit forced a shot clock violation on the ensuing possession and Cunningham went one-on-one at the top of the key against Terry Rozier. Cade was able to relatively easily shake his defender and get to the rim to tie the game at 101. </p>
<p id="DMfIz5">The Pistons played another strong defensive possession and Evan Fournier forced a turnover with 23 seconds remaining. The Pistons had the ball in Cade’s hands and could have taken the clock down to zero if they’d wanted. </p>
<p id="jwn43r">Instead, Cade tried to get loose on the wing and felt like he had a clean look with nine seconds remaining. The 3-pointer missed and the Heat were able to take the ball up the floor, find Adebayo and he calmly launched the 30-foot game-winner. </p>
<p id="SaArIU">Cade has to know better than to take that shot. With Pistons champions, including Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Mehmet Okur and more, Cunningham made the rookie mistake. </p>
<p id="UvJuHD">After so many smart decisions, tough defense, and clutch shot-making, it’s tough to lose that way. Yet, lose they did. </p>
<p id="4uOT9O">The Pistons were led by Evan Fournier with 18 points, who finished the game as a floor spacer instead of Jaden Ivey. Cunningham finished with 17 points and nine assists. The Hea were led by 30 points by Duncan Robinson, who was hitting clutch three after clutch three all night. Adebayo, the hero of the game, added 20 points and 17 rebounds and showed Detroit why he should be considered one of the top centers in the NBA. </p>
<p id="jPHMiF">The loss means Detroit was swept by Miami this season, including games where Detroit lost by one point and tonight’s three-point loss. </p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2024/3/17/24104246/detroit-pistons-miami-heat-final-score-bam-adebayo-duncan-robinson-cade-cunninghamSean Corp2024-03-17T14:03:51-04:002024-03-17T14:03:51-04:00Pistons vs. Heat GameThread: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More
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<img alt="NBA: Miami Heat at Detroit Pistons" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/R9BHIOcGP27otGKQQpxK26UTkNU=/0x0:2860x1907/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213440/usa_today_22787173.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Pistons look to rebound after lopsided loss to the Heat on Friday</p> <p id="VUGLUI">The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a> aren’t going to win many games, committing 17 turnovers like they did in 108-95 loss to the Miami Heat on Friday. They are going to win zero games against any team in which they surrender 33 points off of those turnovers, as they did Friday. Today, they have a matinee rematch against the Miami Heat where they can rebound. Fourteen of those turnovers came from Detroit’s starters, with 10 from Jaden Ivey, Cade Cunningham, and Jalen Duren alone. It’s a shame because they wasted a great game from Simone Fontecchio, who scored 24 points and played the closest thing to quality defense on the team. Unfortunately, that team's defense is still going to miss two of its biggest cogs as Ausar Thompson and Quentin Grimes remain out for Detroit. </p>
<h2 id="lhvy8E">Game Vitals</h2>
<p id="xhbMSS"><strong>When:</strong> 3 p.m. ET <br><strong>Where:</strong> Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan<br><strong>Watch:</strong> Bally Sports Detroit<br><strong>Odds:</strong> Pistons +5.5</p>
<h2 id="7OQxrW">Projected Lineups </h2>
<h4 id="npA9z6">Detroit Pistons (12-54)</h4>
<p id="8z0Dy1">Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Simone Fontecchio, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren</p>
<h4 id="6aJmyG">Miami Heat (36-30)</h4>
<p id="XFArSI">Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez, Caleb Martin, Bam Adebayo</p>
<p id="AIVZLL"></p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2024/3/17/24103980/detroit-pistons-vs-miami-heat-gamethread-game-time-tv-odds-and-moreSean Corp2024-03-17T13:55:00-04:002024-03-17T13:55:00-04:00Detroit Pistons sign Taj Gibson for rest of season to continue working with young big men
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<img alt="Charlotte Hornets v Detroit Pistons" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hkhslMl_SqCTRcTIL6dAvy9vSZg=/0x42:3174x2158/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213438/2068299058.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Whatever Taj is doing with James Wiseman is working.</p> <p id="A3T35r">The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a> are converting veteran big man Taj Gibson’s 10-day contract into a rest-of-season deal. Gibson has not seen the floor since signing his original 10-day contract with Detroit, but he has served as a veteran mentor to the team’s young big men, most specifically James Wiseman. </p>
<p id="qybjIz">Whether it’s coincidence or not, Wiseman has had by far his best stretch as a member of the Pistons since Gibson joined the team, and Gibson is constantly working with Wiseman in practice and in his ear during games. </p>
<p id="XqseUy">In five games since Gibson signed, Wiseman is averaging 9.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in just 18.5 minutes per game. More importantly, while he is not an instinctual player on the floor, he has eliminated mistakes and unforced errors that have previously led to turnovers and easy buckets for the opposition. </p>
<p id="BJjl9B">Prior to joining the Pistons, Gibson played in 16 games in a second stint with the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">New York Knicks</a> for his longtime coach Tom Thibodeau. This season, Gibson is averaging 1 point and 1.8 rebounds in 10.3 minutes per game. </p>
<p id="OtRd3Q">I’ll be curious what the plan is for both Gibson and the Pistons beyond this season. Gibson could hypothetically sign a veteran minimum deal if both sides felt Gibson could contribute on the floor at all. However, this could also be a precursor to Gibson beginning his post-playing career as an NBA coach. </p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2024/3/17/24103998/detroit-pistons-taj-gibson-roster-update-signedSean Corp2024-03-15T18:00:00-04:002024-03-15T18:00:00-04:00Pistons vs. Heat GameThread: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More
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<img alt="NBA: Detroit Pistons at Miami Heat" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Fpxh_Sui6zYLdQUb-higzlk-XeQ=/0x0:4720x3147/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73210700/usa_today_22701754.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Detroit Pistons are playing better basketball recently, and the Miami Heat offer them a chance to prove the progress is real</p> <p id="UiZUzc">The end of an NBA season can often be fool’s gold for bad teams. The grind of an 82-game season wears down just about everyone, and sometimes teams just don’t bring it. Other times, franchise’s have assessed the lottery odds and decided it’d probably be best to project those lottery balls. Relatedly, the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a> have won three of their past four games. Are they playing better? Definitely. Are they actually an improving basketball team? Tough to say. But you can’t ask for a much better litmus test than the Miami Heat. Yes, they have lost four straight games, including, shockingly, to the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com">Washington Wizards</a>. But they are the Heat. They don’t know how to pack it in. If the Pistons want to show this spurt of improved play is for real, they can prove it both tonight and Sunday in back-to-back contests against the Heat. </p>
<p id="btexpy">One thing that might make that endeavor much more difficult — Cade Cunningham could sit out. He is currently listed as questionable due to left knee injury management. Quentin Grimes and Ausar Thompson are also out tonight. The Miami Heat are without Tyler Herro, Josh Richardson and Kevin Love. </p>
<h2 id="JIA9SI">Game Vitals</h2>
<p id="ZE2sG7"><strong>When: </strong>7 p.m. ET<br><strong>Where: </strong>Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan<br><strong>Watch: </strong>Bally Sports Detroit<br><strong>Odds: </strong>Pistons +8</p>
<h2 id="qoVQfu">Projected Lineups</h2>
<p id="0rpTOu"><a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com"><strong>Detroit Pistons</strong></a><strong> (12-53)</strong><br>Jaden Ivey, Evan Fournier, Simone Fontecchio, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren</p>
<p id="Z2B57v"><strong>Miami Heat (35-30)</strong><br>Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, Bam Adebayo</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2024/3/15/24102234/detroit-pistons-vs-miami-heat-gamethread-game-time-tv-odds-and-moreSean Corp2024-03-15T12:00:00-04:002024-03-15T12:00:00-04:00Pistons vs. Heat preview: Don’t let the Pistons get hot
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<img alt="NBA: Detroit Pistons at Miami Heat" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aNDXlJVxr5QRy5LqJoc8PFY5BRA=/0x147:5346x3711/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73209707/usa_today_22701751.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Pistons, not the Heat, enter this game with positive momentum.</p> <p id="UiZUzc">The Pistons enter this game winners of 3 of their last 4 games, which is shocking to type out with how this season has gone. To make it even more shocking, the Pistons have won their last 2 games while the Heat enter as losers of their last 4 games.</p>
<p id="HREWso">It truly is amazing what can happen when you have a mostly healthy roster and your bench rotations make a bit more sense. It only took 60 plus games to get to this point.</p>
<p id="HadriD">With all that being said, the Heat are still a better team than the Pistons, even if they might be down a couple players. This is especially true with the Pistons looking at the possibility of not having Cade Cunningham, who is questionable for knee injury management.</p>
<h2 id="7jMNEL">Game Vitals</h2>
<p id="ZE2sG7"><strong>Where: </strong>Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI<br><strong>When: </strong>Friday, March 15 at 7 pm EST<br><strong>Watch: </strong>Bally Sports Detroit<br><strong>Odds: </strong>Miami (-8.5)</p>
<h2 id="qoVQfu">Analysis</h2>
<p id="0DI1C2">This is the first game of back-to-back games between these two teams at LCA, so the Heat will be spending the weekend in town after this game. One of the many weird NBA schedule quirks.</p>
<p id="BcBFCr">The Pistons have actually played the Heat tough in both games they have played this season with a 1-point loss on Opening Night and an 8-point loss a couple of weeks ago in Miami. However, both of those games were with Cade Cunningham and the Pistons may not have him tonight.</p>
<p id="SisC7n">The Pistons managed to close out a short-handed Raptors team on Wednesday while Cade sat the last 17 minutes, but the Heat are not nearly as short-handed as the Raptors were and are a better team to begin with.</p>
<p id="MR6ca5">It was a very weird game with the Pistons getting out to an early lead only to fall apart with bad turnovers and rushed play from the Raptors’ pace. However, they got things settled in the 2nd half and benefitted from some cold shooting by the Raptors to close it down. Sometimes you need some luck in the NBA, but being able to close out any team while letting your star player rest is huge.</p>
<p id="9RTxgo">The Pistons have already announced that Ausar Thompson will miss his 3rd straight game with an illness, so they will be without their Jimmy Butler stopper. Isaiah Stewart and Simone Fontecchio will each get their chances with defending Butler, but defending Jimmy Butler is a tough ask for anybody.</p>
<p id="Tqiaxx">The Heat are able to bring it defensively every night with their current roster, but are missing a huge offensive piece in Tyler Herro, which has been part of the reason for some of their struggles this season. There is also the fact that they are a team composed of mostly veterans, so the regular season just does not matter as much.</p>
<p id="cjc7XG">As long as Jalen Duren and James Wiseman keep bringing it every night like they have been since the Pistons signed Taj Gibson to a 10-day contract, they can probably still keep this game close even without Ausar Thompson and possibly Cade Cunningham.</p>
<p id="cd9E09">With how close these games have been this season and the fact that the Heat have struggled a bit lately, I am surprised they are still favored by as much as they are, which makes me think that Cade Cunningham will not be playing.</p>
<h2 id="m2z8Pf">Lineups</h2>
<p id="0rpTOu"><a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com"><strong>Detroit Pistons</strong></a><strong> (12-53): </strong>Jaden Ivey, Evan Fournier, Simone Fontecchio, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren</p>
<p id="Z2B57v"><strong>Miami Heat (35-30): </strong>Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, Bam Adebayo</p>
<h2 id="NCrTF2">Question of the Day</h2>
<p id="HOTBJZ">Will the Pistons keep their tied season-long win streak going?</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2024/3/15/24101782/pistons-vs-heat-preview-dont-let-the-pistons-get-hot-2-game-winning-streak-2023-2024-nba-seasonJustin Lambregtse