Back when Detroit Pistons were only one season or two removed from their latest playoff series, a parody tourist video and t-shirt that was nasted the motor city.
“Cleveland,” began the slogan, “We’re not Detroit.”
Someone who wears such clothes around an NBA fan today may be in line for comeuppance. No, the pistons are not really the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, but with both teams that ride separate eight-match-winning stripes, no one is enjoying a comparable heat wave.
The same piston franchise that lost a franchise record 28 consecutive games last season came in on Thursday a game of No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. A damper mix of young people and veterans is of course on Detroit’s side, but still the advantage of the home court can also be a useful harbinger as Pistons aim to catch a playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Both attributes increased Detroit to its latest victory, Wednesday’s 117-97 home by the brief defending NBA champion Boston Celtics.
Malik Beasley led Pistons with 26 points, while the young duo of guard Cade Cunningham (21 points, 11 assists) and center Jalen Duren (13 points, 11 returns) both listed double doubles.
“They are well coached,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. “You have seen the increase in Cade Cunningham, his ability and his shot quality has increased lots. You used to be able to graze him in possessions with lower shot quality, but he has done a much better job of finding high quality possessions from firearms. [Jalen] The Duren has improved, only his overall development.
“They have won, what, eight out of 10? I think a lot of it has to do with their ability to take care of [defensive end]. It starts with these guys, but you have [Malik] Beasley, [Tim] Hardaway. … they are well coached and well -balanced. “
And even keeled.
“I told the one who asked me before the game if it is a big game, I said,” It’s another game for me, “said Beasley.” At this point on our trip we are about ourselves, and I think that’s what has taken this to another level. … for us to get this win is huge. “
Even with a crowd of 20,062 that roared its approval when the last seconds cruised on Wednesday, the piston maintained calm and looked at the ovation only as a short -term reward. Boston, which had won 10 out of 11, played without several key pieces of his rotation, including other leading goal scores Jaylen Brown (left quad bike).
The other seeded Celtics hopes to be more whole when they welcome Cavaliers on Friday night.
In the meantime, the pistons will host the Western conference-continuing Denver Nuggets in an attempt to avoid their first loss since a three-point defeat against Cleveland on February 5.
“We’re just focused on the process for everything,” said Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff. “We are not focused on tonight, what we have done before. The only thing we focus on is every night, being the best version of ourselves. And [Wednesday] I thought we were pretty close. “
No, Detroit may not yet be Cleveland in the NBA landscape, but its pistons are really charged.
