The Detroit Pistons, the Eastern Conference’s top seed, fell 112-101 to the No. 8 Orlando Magic in Sunday’s first-round opener at Little Caesars Arena, becoming the only higher seed to lose its Game 1.
Detroit had been idle for a week and trailed 13 points just five minutes in. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the layoff showed. “I thought we were a little rusty to start,” he noted. “Giving up a 35-point quarter is not typical for us. It felt like we were chasing them all night.”
Forward Ausar Thompson echoed the sentiment. “They came out and hit us first,” he said. “We have to do a better job of coming out and hitting them first and executing our coverages better.”
Offensive concerns resurface
Pre-series questions about Detroit’s secondary scoring intensified after the opener. Cade Cunningham poured in 39 points, but no other Piston topped 10. Bickerstaff pointed to stagnant ball movement: “There were times we got down early and felt pressure on every possession. We tried to hit a home run every time.”
Cunningham, who missed late-season games because of a collapsed lung, said his conditioning felt solid. “I really felt great,” he said. “There was a stint toward the end I was a little tired, but after a short break I felt good to finish the game.”
Duren held in check
All-Star center Jalen Duren attempted only four shots, finishing with eight points and seven rebounds. “They packed the paint,” Bickerstaff explained. “We have to make sure our pick-and-roll execution creates space for him.”
Long home skid continues
The Pistons have not won a home playoff game since 2008, a stretch of 11 consecutive losses. Game 2 is Wednesday in Detroit, and Cunningham expressed confidence the series will even. “It’s a long series, and there’s no confidence drop from us,” he said.
Source: Hoops Rumors
