The Detroit Pistons didn’t show up last night against the New York Knicks and got eviscerated in a 30 point loss.
The Pistons have now lost 11 straight games to the Knicks, including three this season, all by wide margins. Either Detroit is just plain bad (they are) or the New York is tailor-made to beat them, either way, the Pistons can’t seem to get a “W” against what has been a mostly mediocre Knicks team over the last few years.
Coach Dwane Casey blamed the schedule, as the Pistons have played eight games in 13 days, though they were at home:
"“I think tonight was a delayed reaction to the West Coast trip,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey. “I expected a game like this on Monday, but we put up a fight in that one. This one was a stinker.”"
He’s got a point here, as Detroit has been buried by a ridiculous schedule that has had them play the most games in the league, most back-to-backs and most road games. But last night wasn’t all about the schedule, as it takes a team (and coach) effort to lose by 30 to the Knicks at home.
It was an ugly loss and there were some baffling moments for the coach and players.
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks: Dwane Casey’s rotation
No one did more to stop Killian Hayes last night than his own coach, who inexplicably pulled him in the first quarter and sat him for nearly 12 minutes after a hot start.
Hayes scored a quick seven points and was then promptly pulled in the first quarter. By the time he came back in the game was essentially over as the Pistons were already down by double digits.
I understand that coaches have set rotations, but you have to adjust when you are getting spanked and you have a guy who gets out to a hot start. It’s baffling as to why a team this young and this injured would have staunchly scheduled rotation changes anyway. Just play the guys who are making shots, it’s not like this is a situation where the Detroit Pistons are winning with a deep roster and need to keep everyone happy.
Killian Hayes has been playing much better of late, but only scored four points last night after he was pulled early, wasting a hot start.