Tiny shifts and decisions will flip the script for the Pistons in game 4

The Cleveland Cavaliers came out with increased energy and focus in game three against the Detroit Pistons and were able to defend their home court, with Detroit playing their worst game of the series so far. 

Credit has to go to Cleveland, who made the big plays and shots down the stretch, but the Pistons were right in the game, even taking the lead in the 4th quarter, so they had a chance to win even though they weren’t at their best, which should be encouraging. 

A lot went wrong for the Pistons in game three, and if they can clean these areas up, they will have a good chance to do what no one has done in the playoffs yet, which is defeat the Cavaliers on their home floor. 

Cade Cunningham can’t be as careless 

I thought Cunningham looked gassed in the 4th quarter, and it is hard to blame him given the burden he had carried the whole game, but there is no sugarcoating eight turnovers, especially when three of them happened in crunch time. 

No one on Earth is more aware of this than Cade, and I am certain he will take better care of the ball in game four and at least cut out the careless ones that are just bad plays. 

Cunningham had a triple double but shot the ball poorly and had a tough time even getting a shot off. The Pistons weren’t as effective at getting the ball out of his hands early in possessions, and he had to do too much. 

Detroit needs better ball movement and to play more through other guys at times so they can keep Cunningham fresh for the second half, which should reduce those turnovers. 

Jalen Duren had a complete dud 

Duren’s lack of scoring has been the focus for most of the playoffs, but his four rebounds in game three was a far more alarming number. 

He has to more aggressively pursue rebounds and do a better job of sealing his man, as he has let up rebounds to everyone from the centers to the guards. 

If Duren gets back to grabbing 10+ boards and gets a few easy buckets around the rim, it will be a much different game. 

Ausar Thompson can’t play under 30 minutes again 

Thompson played only 29 minutes in game three, which I thought was a huge tactical error by JB Bickerstaff, who was trying to inject more offense into his lineup. 

But the offense was fine with Ausar, who finds ways to make himself useful. He’s even shooting the ball a little better, so there is no reason he shouldn’t be playing 35+ minutes in a playoff game. 

Both Harden and Mitchell were able to get going with Thompson on the bench, and it was much easier for them to switch into the matchups they wanted. JB Bickerstaff can’t make this mistake again, and I don’t think he will. 

We need more Paul Reed 

Reed cannot and should not start for the Pistons, as he’d foul out in the first half. People often forget that his type of play is tough to extrapolate over an entire game, but he does need to play more if Stewart continues to struggle. 

Reed clearly gave the Pistons a boost and pretty much matched Duren and Stewart’s contributions in 10 minutes. He offers a different look around the rim and is the only of the Pistons three centers who has been aggressive on the boards. 

I don’t think coach Bickerstaff will bench Stewart, but we may see more bursts of Reed tonight if Stew isn’t getting it done on the boards. 

A lot went wrong in game three, and the Pistons still had a chance to steal it, so a few plays and decisions here and there can change the script in game four. 

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