The Detroit Pistons blew an opportunity to take a 3-1 series lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4.
After allowing the Cavs to set a franchise record with a 23-0 run in the third quarter, Detroit put themselves in a dangerous position they can't afford, while the New York Knicks rest up for their Eastern Conference Finals opponent to escape this semifinals dogfight.
To make matters worse, the Pistons didn't just blow an opportunity to take a commanding series lead, but they wasted a Caris LeVert performance that they've been begging for since the postseason began.
Now, they find themselves tied 2-2, forced to face the hard truth that they may not get the boost from the bench they failed to capitalize on during Monday's loss.
Caris LeVert finally played well in Pistons brutal loss
Since the playoffs began, LeVert has proven to be one of the biggest disappointments on the roster, which says a lot considering he was supposed to be the offseason signing to help the team get over the postseason hump.
In Game 4, though, the veteran stepped up to the challenge, putting together his best playoff performance to date in a Pistons uniform, finishing with 24 points on 10 of 16 shooting from field goal range, including three triples against his former team.
As a +15, LeVert proved to be one of the best players on the court for J.B. Bickerstaff in this matchup, and that fact alone is why this loss should haunt Detroit moving forward.
The Pistons can't afford to have this series reach a Game 6 or a Game 7 with New York resting up, and after blowing a much-needed performance from the bench, they may have given Cleveland the life needed to completely swing the momentum in this series.
Detroit is officially in the danger zone
The Cavaliers are playing with confidence, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are officially starting to figure things out, and Detroit can't stop shooting themselves in the foot.
Entering Game 5, the series is now a best of 3, and for a Pistons squad that's arguably shown more concerning trending than positive ones, it's fair to say that blowing this game could be the pivotal point in this series that ends their season.
To make matters worse, if the Pistons can't get back on track in the Motor City on Wednesday, the team's premature extension for Bickerstaff after round one will only look worse.
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