Detroit Pistons: 3 takeaways from clutch loss to the LA Clippers

If there is such a thing as a clutch loss, then we saw it last night when the Detroit Pistons found a way to lose against the LA Clippers.

The Pistons were up 11 in the 4th quarter and up five with less than a minute to go, so they had to dig deep to get the loss, showing heart and commitment to the tank in the process.

The Pistons were even nice enough to set up the game tying and game winning shots for former mate Reggie Jackson, which I felt was very generous.

Ok, so I am being facetious here. It was an ugly loss to a shorthanded team that the Pistons gave away as if they were trying to lose.

You hate to see a game undone by lack of late-game execution, but to be honest, this was a game the Detroit Pistons needed to lose.

Here are three takeaways from what could end up being one of the most important losses of the season.

Detroit Pistons: The tank is alive!

The Detroit Pistons helped themselves in their quest for a number one pick with this loss. The Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Magic, Rockets, Thunder, Wizards and Kings were all playing last night, so this one was going to be meaningful for the standings one way or another.

The Timberwolves lost of course, as did the lowly Rockets, but the Magic, Cavaliers and Wizards all won, so the Pistons were able to “gain” a game on each as they stayed as the third-worst team in the NBA.

This is important, as staying in the bottom three means maximum odds for a top-four pick as well as the number one overall.

No one wants the Detroit Pistons to lose on purpose (though last night was about as close as they’ve come) but we also don’t want to see them lose all year just to blow their chances at a top-five pick right at the end of the season.

That being said, it was a clutch loss for the Pistons and one that could matter down the stretch.