The first NBA in-season tournament didn't go well for the Detroit Pistons, as they dropped all four games in the midst of a 14-game losing streak that is still ongoing.
So aside from the weird courts, Pistons fans didn't get to enjoy any of the alleged excitment created by the new format. The quarterfinals of the NBA Cup start next week, but as expected, the Pistons won't be part of it after being eliminated.
One of the quirks of the schedule this season is that games had to be added later to accommodate the tournament, so the Pistons had two more games added to theirs and might be able to get a win in one of them.
Pistons schedule: When is the next win coming?
The Detroit Pistons will play the Memphis Grizzlies at home on December 6th and could be riding an 18-game losing streak if they don't get a win between now and then. The Grizzlies have been horrible this season too, sitting at 3-13 as they wait for Ja Morant to return from suspension. He won't be back for this game against the Pistons, so this might be the next win on the schedule if Detroit can't upset the Lakers, Knicks or Cavaliers.
Detroit will also play the Orlando Magic on the road on December 8th. At 12-5, the Magic are one of the surprise teams of the season, and will no doubt be looking to rub it in the face of another young team. These two teams have had a bit of a rivalry over the last few seasons, so hopefully Detroit will show up and give them a good game.
Of the six teams that were terrible during the 2020-21 season, the Magic rebuild has emerged as one of the most successful so far, as they are mostly doing this with young players that they drafted.
A home game against Memphis could put an end to an embarrassing losing streak (hopefully they'll get one before then) and the Orlando game will allow the Pistons a chance to test themselves against one of their rebuilding peers.