For the Pistons, Wednesday’s blown lead and overtime loss to the Hawks was about as bad as it gets.
“It stings and it hurts because the guys played their hearts out. We didn’t play smart down the stretch,” coach Dwane Casey told reporters. “It’s not from a lack of competing — and that’s one thing these guys are doing. Now, we have to have attention to detail and basketball IQ in certain situations.”
The Pistons actually led by 17 points in the fourth quarter. Then Trae Young and the Hawks got hot, and the Pistons more or less fell apart. Young did most of his damage on foul shots.
“It broke our rhythm once we marched them to the free-throw line so much and then we’re coming down and playing against a set defense,” Casey said. “It hurts, but we’re building calluses from this and like I told him, we got to maintain the intensity and now put IQ and decision-making into competition.”
More out of Detroit
- The Pistons intend to encourage and “keep the village” around injured rookie Killian Hayes, as relayed by Omar Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. In other words, Casey and the team want to keep Hayes engaged as he rehabs his injured hip. ““We’re staying in contact with him constantly,” Casey said. “That’s my major concern as well as him hurrying up and getting well. Making sure he stays connected to the team and every time he’s in town, we’re practicing, whatever, he’s very involved and on the sidelines paying attention and being connected in what we’re doing.”
- It may be time for the Pistons to move on from Blake Griffin, if possible, writes Greg Patuto of NBA Analysis Network. Patuto went as far to suggest a Griffin trade with the Thunder.
- Pistons veterans Griffin and Derrick Rose may not exactly be teaching the younger players winning habits, opines Aaron Kellerstrass of Pistons Powered in a strong piece.
