The Detroit Pistons probably feel like they left a win on the table last night in LA, losing to the Clippers after struggling to close out the game in the 4th quarter.
In many ways, the Pistons played their game, as they won the battle of fast breaks and points in the paint, two areas they have dominated during their recent surge.
But they allowed the Clippers to shoot 55 percent from the field and 54 percent from long range and were unable to generate enough turnovers for their transition game to be the difference.
It was a throwback game for James Harden, who dropped 50 for the first time in a Clippers uniform with Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard out with injuries.
Given that they are playing the red-hot Warriors next, this was a game the Pistons wish they had back.
Harden’s scoring outburst wasn’t the only throwback, it was how he did it that got the attention of Cade Cunningham and showed a challenge the Pistons have been facing all season.
Detroit Pistons free throws: Why can’t Cade Cunningham get a call?
After the game, Cade Cunningham was asked how the Clippers were able to pull away from them down the stretch and he had a simple two-word answer:
“Get calls.”
The Clippers shot seven more free throws than the Pistons, a number you can live with, but it was the fact that Harden personally shot 20, while Detroit only shot 19 as a team, that was one of the big differences in the game.
The Pistons play a physical style, so it’s not uncommon for them to get into foul trouble if the refs have a quick whistle that night. This is something the NBA needs to continue to work on, as the Pistons get a different whistle pretty much every game and never know what to expect or how their physicality will be called.
Harden is one of the all-time foul hunters, and to give the guy credit, he’s really good at it. He’s crafty, finds weird angles to attack, he’s strong enough to play through contact and when he does get bumped, he’s great at selling it.
He’s also a veteran star who gets the benefit of a friendly whistle. Fine.
But when one team’s star shoots more free throws than the other team combined, something isn’t right. When one team's star shoots 20 free throws, while the other team’s star shoots six, something isn’t right.
It’s not like Cade Cunningham doesn’t get contact either, as he lives around the rim and gets fouled more times than not. I have no idea why he doesn’t get the same whistle as Harden, but watch the game, he doesn’t.
Maybe that will come with time, who knows, or maybe Harden really is just a genius at selling fouls. Maybe Cade yaps at the refs a bit too much, also a possibility.
I’m not saying the Pistons lost solely because of the refs, as they had plenty of chances to seize the game, but Detroit’s lack of calls has been an issue all season.
This is a team that lives in the lane (6th in points in the paint per game), plays physical and has a big point guard who always gets hacked, yet they are 21st in the NBA in free-throw attempts per game, with Cade getting fewer attempts than almost every other high-usage star.
If you like watching James Harden shoot free throws (who doesn’t?!?) then last night was the game for you, but it would be nice if Cade Cunningham could even get half that whistle consistently.