HEARTBREAK: Detroit Pistons Collapse as Cade Cunningham’s Missed Free Throw SNAPS Historic Streak
Detroit Pistons fall just short of breaking their franchise win streak, suffering a heartbreaking 117-114 loss to the Boston Celtics as Cade Cunningham’s late free throw miss seals their fate. Can Detroit rebound and reclaim its dominant defensive identity, or does this loss reveal deeper cracks in its playoff hopes?
Ku Khahil breaks down Cunningham’s 42-point performance, Jalen Duren’s offensive struggles, and the puzzling late-game substitutions that left defensive stopper Ausar Thompson on the bench. Key insights cover the Pistons’ reliance on isolation scoring, costly turnovers, and how Boston exploited Detroit’s perimeter defense by targeting Duncan Robinson and Jaden Ivey. The episode also questions the effectiveness of Coach JB Bickerstaff’s deep rotations and calls for a shift away from “everyone gets to play” minutes. What must the Pistons clean up to avoid a slump? Don’t miss this candid analysis of an uncharacteristic night in Detroit.
SUBSTACK: kukhahil.substack.com
PLAYBACK: playback.tv/watchpistons
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
DoorDashNext time someone goes off for 50, use promo code NBA50the next day to get 50% off on DoorDash with DashPass — plus your shot at the Bag Drop.DashPass members only. 50% off up to $10 the day after a 50-point game with promo code. Terms apply.No Purchase Necessary. Ends April 13th. Open to U.S. residents 21 or older. Visit https://DoorDashInYourBag.com for full details.DoorDash — In your bag all season long.
DripDropStock up now before the heat hits hard — and keep your body and mind performing at their best with DripDrop.Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order.Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code LOCKEDONNBA.
WayfairDon’t miss out on early Black Friday deals.Head to Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday sale for up to 70% off.
GustoGusto is the all-in-one, remote-friendly payroll and HR platform. Try Gusto today at https://gusto.com/lockedonNBA and get three months free when you run your first payroll.
RobinhoodYou expect more from yourself. Expect more from your money. Get started today at robinhood.com/yourmoney. Your money. Your move.
All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Options, futures, and crypto trading carry significant risk and may not suit all investors. Securities offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member SIPC. Futures trading is offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC and not SPIC or FDIC protected. Crypto offered through Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840), not FDIC or SIPC protected. Portfolio management offered by Robinhood Strategies, an SEC-registered advisor.
GametimeToday’s episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuelRight now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app. Download the FanDuel app now by visiting https://FanDuel.com to get started
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOPistons?sid=YouTube
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA
#DetroitPistons #Pistons #NBA
32 Comments
Ivey had no business in this game. He could have gotten re-injured. He really didn't contribute anyway.
-Duran needed to be in the game MORE but he also didn't show up. Duran had no business guarding Brown at the 3 point line.
-Ausar has defense, but as shooting goes he's a liability.
-Isaiah Stewart should have been in the game more. As well as Reed, and Tobias.
These 3 would have helped Cade more.
-Levert had a bad night.
-Duncan was covered so he was out of the game.
-Holland, Green, Daniss really didn't do much.
This is my point, when everyone is relying on Cade we are going to lose!!!
I somewhat agree about the rotation being too deep but man they gotta lot of guys that can go and can maybe get trade value for a Javonte Green too which may seem insignificant but he is a guard on a NBA team that can play so that's enough value in the league these days. You was a lil hard on Cade to me though these boys balled out to start this season and we had to know the mental fatigue would set in before long on holding the streak. I say they go on another once they feel comfortable with Ivey starting again because that's what has been missing is his scoring. I disagree about Stew he should be starting with Duren. Stew can hit the 3 and defend the perimeter ion know what the hold up is honestly. Harris I would say move to the 3 but his defense is awful and he has really slowed down over the years as well so I personally feel he should get benched for Stew and Ausar. I can't say enough we have won more games from Ausar athleticism than a lil bit. I like him being in the starting lineup with Ivey and his new size to develop as a third ball handler and getting more involved in the scoring. The way JB going on offense he can just have all 3 of the guards attack. Jenkins needs to be the backup PG and I love Robinson and Harris as backup SF and PF with Reed entering the rotation as a reserve Center. Backup SG is Caris LeVert but he is truly the most expendable guy on the team especially with the return of Sasser looming if he is coming back. We still have Ron Holland too so yeah LeVert real expendable right now and that's what I'm guessing fans and media are expecting as far as trade probably a combo of moving LeVert, Green and maybe Sasser too who has a ok cap number to include in a deal. All in all I ain't mad at these boys right now. Go Pistons and let's take the next one hate to see the streak end but every game played is not every game won. I do feel we get to 20 wins pretty soon. I still see 60 wins because they are deep enough with this roster to survive Ivey getting back in starter form which is the next wait. JB should go with Jenkins, Ivey and Holland off the bench to better help Ivey for a starting situation with Cade and Ausar. Bring Harris and Robinson off the bench. Yeah they super deep and can easily trade for a formidable PF but we all know where that money when they books clear this offseason which is to Ivey,Duren and Ausar which looks to be about $80 million guys for the 3 of them and yes sir The Alaskan Assassin is going to give it to them. I love that he is our President btw but hopefully he can consolidate all that into one expiring contract for a player that would fit.
I think Detroit's losses will always look disappointing. They may even get blown out. You may ask why I think this way. It's the NBA. No team has gone 82-0.
Jenkins and Reed needs to play significant minutes every night
Ku, you cant have this many flawed players and win. Most teams have all players who are avg or plus off. And def. We have specialist up and down our lineup except for Cade and maybe Tobias. Ausar cant guard 1-3. If hes off Pritchard they would just use him in the pick and roll and hide brown in the corner.
Its the start of the season. Its not middle school but Bickerstaff has to see a lot of player combinations to see how they work together if any injury come into the roster in a crucial moment. Is better to do this to win some few games instead.
Im sorry i analyze games very well and ima be honest before cade Duncan costed us a lot of points he was switched every possession and scored on almost every possession we cannot hide him on defense we have to figure him out
6:26 KU THANK YOU!!! Ive been saying this all along duncan is a great shooter but he is too god aweful on defense to the point where he couldnt stop the worse player on a team
This dude on Asur is crazy…asur wont even take an open jump shot bro
Jenkins needs to play more
Just gonna have to accept the fact that Ausar just wont be aggressive offensively!! All them buttercup layups when you are a freak athlete…..please dunk the ball!! Youre either gonna get an incredible highlight, or 2 freethrows!! PLEASE Ausar…..DUNK THE BALL!!!!! He cant keep playing like this
Time to start another winning streak.
Good effort from Celtics old clever pros, slack defensive effort from the young Pistons who got away from their hustling defensive ways….JB rotations???….NBA basketball fans always think they know better about who should play and who should get minutes than NBA coaches who have decades of experience and who travel with the team and see them everyday…nothing new about that. The season is still very young…patience.
Honestly, it was not unfortunate. It shine the light on the deadweight. We need to cut on this roster. Jaden Ivy and Tobias Harris shot like absolute dog water and don’t even deserve to be on our roster of studs. Stuart Durran cade Assar, Ron Holland, Gervonta Greene even Dennis Jenkins should’ve got some extra looks last night and why don’t we run Kate as the two guard with Dennis running the point? We don’t need to buy us and we don’t need Jaden Ivy. They are just extrasthat came back from battling injuries and now think they are the prime scorer on the team.
Nobody else had over 12 points smh this why ppl saying trade them for a star, games like this is unacceptable!!!! Wrap harris, Duncan, levert & two first rounds up for somebody!! And yes I’m saying this after loosing only ONE game but it shows we desperately need another scorer, or play Ivey more
That fake 3 point foul on white at the end of the first half was essentially the difference, I hate the nba, the pistons still deserved to lose they should have pick and rolled the celtics to death duren should have had 30 terrible loss for no reason
I dont like this situation w the guard room at all. Ivey sucks on defense and always has, levert is so streaky it’s ridiculous, atleast javonte and daniss play defense hard and don’t take away from the offense. And yes we need another creator but also we need defense and certified shooting first
For Jenkins is about role just as much as it is about (inadequate) minutes. Stop the nonsense of having LaVert play PG while Dannis stands around. The 2nd Jenkins gets on the floor the ball and offense should be his. Not Lavert, not Ivey, not Ausar.. This is how he thrived and, more importantly, how the team thrived. Depending upon how the game is going, Jenkins also did will as a 2 with Cade (as they did with Schroder).
I was at the game. Celtics played very well. Their defense kept us out the paint. They didn't give Duren a single lob the entire night. They forced us to shoot 3s and mostly shaded the defense to let Ron, Ausar and Ivey shoot 3s.
Duncan was targeted by Brown a lot and White shot the lights out down the stretch. But we had Duncan in the game in the 4th because the paint was packed all game.
Cade played well but he had a bad turnover down the stretch. I think we were down 1 with like a minute left. And then obviously the missed ft at the end.
This game the biggest issues that were apparent is that we need another volume shooter and someone else to attack more aggressively off the dribble. Hopefully the attacker can be Ivey but we'll see.
I hate to break it to a lot of you. This is also what happens when you have a deep team. Players can literally get lost on the bench. I really can see some sort of trade happening. We have a lot of solid players and finally have our own picks.
I can't wait until sasser is healthy. I actually want to see Sasser/Green, Jenkins, Stew, Ron, Robinson/Reed
Cave fans did say JB WAS HORRIBLE WITH ROTATION
Cade is a overrated ball hog turnover machine especially in the fourth quarter I know we would lose this game,if you go back to the game before this one when Luke Walton told Cade to start passing the ball more(4min mark) you talk about Cade didn't have any help, he didn't want any he wanted to shoot everything that's why I knew we would lose
Cade and Bickerstaff blew this game
But I'm glad you're on bickerstaff's head
good 2nd segment on standing still on the catch and bringing the ball down. Agree there. Will be looking for that in the next game
Last time we failed to break that 13 game streak we won a championship….
One thing Id like to see is more full bench unit minutes. Letting Daniss run the point changes up the game and its been for the better in his minutes so far this year.
Ivey needs more that 14 mins man we need more scoring pop he can attack advantages and shoot the 3. Duncan should go back to the bench and play like 20 min a game cut Leverts min too
Detroit fans got way too crazy after 13 straight wins. Now they're getting too crazy after 1 loss. JB was COTY yesterday. Now he has no idea wtf he's doing. Duncan had the highest +/- in this game by far.
I'm surprised you didn't say anything about Tobias Harris going 1 for 5 for 3 and having only 8 shots against the Celtics
Ausar HAS to become a better free throw shooter bro. He can’t not be able to shoot, and not hit free throws bro
The Celtics are like a cockroach the Pistons can’t exterminate.