The Detroit Pistons head into tonight’s Game 4 against the Cleveland Cavaliers determined to cut down on the miscues that sabotaged their chance to seize firm control of the series, according to The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson.
Cunningham’s late-game giveaways prove costly
Cade Cunningham, the playoffs’ leading scorer at 30.2 points per game, committed eight of Detroit’s 16 turnovers in Saturday’s Game 3, including three in the final two-and-a-half minutes. Those turnovers fueled 27 Cavaliers points.
“Just bad plays that could’ve got shots on the rim and given us an opportunity to win,” Cunningham said after the loss.
Statistical edge wasted
Despite the turnover issues, the Pistons held several statistical advantages. They attempted 91 field goals to Cleveland’s 74, won the overall rebound battle 40-33 and posted a 17-5 edge on the offensive glass, converting those extra chances into 19 second-chance points versus the Cavaliers’ 11.
“Sixteen is too many,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Detroit’s giveaways. “Our defense is so stingy if we get you in the half court. We’ve just got to make sure we get shots on goal so we can set our defense.”
Stewart says reduced minutes not injury-related
Center Isaiah Stewart logged only nine first-half minutes in Game 3 and never returned, as head coach J.B. Bickerstaff (sic) opted for Paul Reed during a 17-point comeback. Coty M. Davis of The Detroit News reports it was the third time this postseason Stewart played fewer than 10 minutes.
“I’m 100 % healthy,” Stewart told the outlet. “When my name is not called, but P. Reed’s is, I cheer for him. He brought the energy for us.”
Debate over Thompson’s place in closing lineup
Shawn Windsor of The Detroit Free Press argues rookie wing Ausar Thompson should be a permanent fixture in late-game situations. Windsor highlighted Bickerstaff’s decision to replace Thompson with Daniss Jenkins in a tie game with 3:05 remaining; Thompson owned the team’s second-best plus/minus, while Jenkins had yet to hit a shot.
Windsor also outlined five adjustments he believes Detroit must make to regain series momentum as the matchup resumes tonight.
Source: Hoops Rumors
