What is happening to the Detroit Pistons in the 3rd quarter?

The Detroit Pistons lost their 11th straight last night and there is no end to the streak in sight.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one: The Pistons once again built a double-digit lead only to watch it disappear, played terribly in the 3rd quarter and got blown out in a game it looked like they might win.

It’s been a fairly common occurrence during this streak, which is now at the point that some people are going to call for Dwane Casey to be fired.

I don’t think we’re there yet but one does have to wonder what is going on at half time of these games. Are the Pistons eating a plate of turkey and washing it down with cough syrup during halftime?

By the way they’ve played in 3rd quarters, you’d think the Pistons were sharing jugs of wine at the break, having a pack of cigarettes and watching cartoons.

The Detroit Pistons are giving games away in the 3rd quarter

I should start by saying the the Detroit Pistons are not good in any quarter and it hasn’t only been the third that has killed them. The team has a negative margin in all quarters for the season and by just about any measurement has the worst offense in the NBA.

But 3rd quarters are even worse.

After scoring a pathetic 12 points last night in the 3rd against the Pelicans, the Pistons are averaging just 22.7 points in the 3rd quarter for the season, worst in the NBA.

Their -4.9 margin in the 3rd (also the worst in the NBA) is more than double what it is in any other quarter and the Pistons are averaging just 18.7 points in the third over their last three games.

During this losing streak, the Pistons have blown leads in almost every game, many of them lost in the 3rd quarter when the team just looks dead.

Dwane Casey suggested that they need to get out of the locker room sooner at half so that they are better warmed up, but whatever is happening at halftime is not currently working.

After blowing a 15 point second-quarter lead, the Pistons were still up by one at half last night and had a fighting chance of winning the game. But then they were outscored 29-12 in the 3rd quarter, and what looked like a close game was turned into a blowout.

The Pelicans are near the bottom of the Western Conference and missing their best player, so it wasn’t like the Pistons had this collapse against a top team.

Dwane Casey needs to figure out how to get this team going in the 3rd quarter or they may not win another game this year. I am not being funny, they literally might not win another game this year and could be starting 2022 on a 20-game losing streak if something doesn’t change.