The Detroit Pistons got their 4th win of the season over the Indiana Pacers on a night that looked like a throwback.
The offense looked like 2004, as both teams were chucking bricks all over Little Caesar’s Arena. The two teams shot 17-of-65 from 3-point range between them for a combined 26 percent. Yikes.
It wasn’t the prettiest game but there was plenty to like from the Pistons. Rookie Cade Cunningham took over the game late again (more on that in a minute) and is showing the clutch DNA he was known for in college.
The Pistons’ bench had a nice night, particularly Cory Jospeh and Frank Jackson, and it was nice to see Hamidou Diallo make an impact in place of the struggling Josh Jackson.
The Detroit Pistons aren’t title contenders by any means, but there are a couple of reasons fans should be excited about their 4th win of the season.
Detroit Pistons: The young team is developing before our eyes
The Detroit Pistons are obviously a very young team that is trying to build around last year’s draft and Cade Cunningham.
Any team that starts four youngsters and Jerami Grant is going to be inconsistent, so you never know who is going to show up from night to night.
But it is nice to see them make progress, and they are making it right now. Even thought this team is even younger than last season, they are already better in a couple of areas that should get Pistons’ fans excited.
Detroit Pistons: Win #4
The Pistons beat a veteran Pacers team last night, even though they were down in the 4th quarter, which in itself is a nice change.
The Pistons have gone 3-2 over their last five games, a feat they only accomplished twice all of last season.
Also, the Pistons got win number four in just the 14th game of the season, while last year it took 17 games to get their 4th win.
This might not seem like a great achievement, but consider that last year’s team was a lot older and didn’t have three 20-year-olds in the starting five.
Also, the schedule this season has been brutal so far, as the Pistons have played one of the toughest in the NBA through 14 games.
The Pistons got to their 4th win faster with a younger team against a tougher schedule, and this is while still trying to build chemistry with Cade Cunningham, who missed most of training camp with a sprained ankle.
The Pistons are taking baby steps to be sure, but these are important steps, as they are learning how to win and close out games.
Detroit Pistons and the 4th quarter
Don’t look now but the Detroit Pistons are one of the best 4th quarter teams in the NBA.
The Pistons have a +20 point differential in the final quarter, which is good for 8th in the NBA.
Their 7.3 free throw attempts in the 4th are 1st overall in the NBA.
The Pistons have a +15 turnover margin in the 4th quarter that is 4th in the league.
Last season the Pistons were 26th in the NBA in 4th quarter points and this season they have jumped all the way up to #11, which is pretty amazing considering their struggles scoring the ball this season.
A lot of this has to do with the addition of Cade Cunningham, who is 6-of-8 in clutch situations and has been taking over games late.
Cade did it again last night, initiating the offense down the stretch, getting into the lane and scoring or setting up teammates. The game seems to slow down for Cade in the clutch, and he gives the Pistons a closer that they didn’t have last season.
The Detroit Pistons still have a long way to go, but they are making progress that includes more wins against tougher opponents and much better 4th quarter execution.