Detroit — The Detroit Pistons are headed back to Cleveland for Game 6 on Friday night. Due to a significant collapse in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter and a controversial non-call in the last seconds of regulation, the Pistons will head back to Rocket Arena trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals after losing Game 5 in overtime, 117-113, on Wednesday night.
After overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Orlando Magic, the Pistons are 3-0 in this postseason when facing elimination. They have a strong track record of performing well under pressure. Despite the deficit, the Pistons are confident they can force a Game 7 back at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday. However, to avoid elimination, the Pistons must do three things to keep their season alive.
“You’re going to have to choke the life out of this team. We’re not going to go down without a fight. We’re not going to go down without kicking, punching, grabbing, clawing — that’s just who we are,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We’ve been in this position before, and we were able to work our way through it. I expect our guys to be ready mentally to go out and compete at a high level and bring this thing back here (to Detroit).”
More offense outside of Cunningham
One of the key issues that hurt the Pistons in Game 5 was the lack of offensive production from anyone outside Cade Cunningham. He led the team with 39 points, scoring 20 of those in the first half. However, no other player surpassed 20 points; Daniss Jenkins was the second-highest scorer with 19.
The Pistons will need more offensive support outside of their All-NBA guard in Game 6, especially considering the double teams the Cavaliers have directed at him during Games 3 to 5. Detroit shot 0-of-8 in the fourth quarter and overtime when Cleveland implemented its double team on Cunningham on Wednesday night.
Having someone step up as a secondary scorer or ball-handler also could help Cunningham with his turnover issues. He has averaged 5.6 giveaways through the first five games of the series. Cunningham remains committed to mastering the defensive scheme to maintain his productivity for the team. However, there are limitations to what he can do when he is the only player providing consistent offense for the Pistons.
“It’s about exploiting whatever they are doing, creating advantages,” Cunningham said. “I have to do a good job of getting the ball to the open man. … I have to do a good enough job of drawing two, where they can get out and execute.”
Better production in the second half
The Pistons gave up a nine-point lead in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter. Although that was the deciding factor in their defeat, their lack of production highlights the ongoing issues the Pistons have had in the second half.
The Pistons held an eight-point halftime lead, 60-52, and seemed to have all the momentum. They shot 53.3% from the field and 42.9% shooting from behind the arc, despite being without Duncan Robinson in the first half.
The Pistons’ performance declined in the second half, allowing the Cavaliers to outscore them 51-43. Their shooting percentages fell to 35.9% from the floor and 31.3% from 3-point range. Detroit’s second-half production in Game 5 has been an ongoing issue for the team, as it was in the previous game. To avoid elimination, they must keep their production going in the second half of Game 6.
Since Game 4, the Pistons have held a halftime lead but have faced challenges in the last two games in maintaining their play. They have averaged 45.0 points in the second half, with offensive and defensive net ratings of 113.7 and 119.3, respectively. In contrast, the Cavaliers have excelled in the second half, averaging a league-best 55.5 points in the final two quarters, with offensive and defensive ratings of 131.3 and 108.9 each.
“Honestly, we weren’t supposed to go to overtime (but) we did,” Jenkins said. “We were still supposed to come out with a win. We knew what game this was, how important it was. We can’t lose that lead. We have to be better.”
A change in the frontcourt rotation
The Pistons’ biggest dilemma in the second round has been their frontcourt. With Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart leading the way, the Pistons had one of the best big man rotations in the league during the regular season. However, this postseason, their performance has arguably been the league’s worst.
Stewart’s reduced play has led many to question his health status. Duren has gone from one of the league’s most promising big men following an All-NBA-caliber year, when he posted career highs of 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. Through the first five games against the Cavaliers, however, Duren’s struggles have left many perplexed amid averages of 9.4 points and 6.6 rebounds.
Paul Reed has been the Pistons’ most effective big man against the Cavaliers, averaging 12.0 points and 5.0 rebounds. In Game 5, Reed recorded 10 points, eight rebounds and a block in 17 minutes. His play led to Bickerstaff favoring Reed over Duren and Stewart during the fourth quarter and overtime in Game 5.
After their benchings, Bickerstaff should give Reed more minutes in Game 6 rather than waiting until the Cavaliers have taken full control and need a “spark” midway through the second half.
Reed’s performance should lead him to climb the depth chart in Cleveland, potentially making him the team’s primary backup big man. In fact, it might be in the team’s best interest to start Reed ahead of Duren. However, that seems unlikely, considering Bickerstaff and the organization are determined to stick with their All-Star big man, despite his struggles.
“I just thought Reed gives us that spark. He’s always ready when the moment calls for it,” Bickerstaff said. “Through that point, I thought we had done a pretty good job (of when Cleveland makes) their run, P. Reed is a run stopper for us. So, having him as a weapon is good for this team.”
Pistons at Cleveland, Game 6
Tip-off: 7 p.m. Friday, Rocket Arena, Cleveland
TV/radio: Amazon Prime/950 AM
Outlook: The Cavaliers have a chance to close out the Pistons, holding a 3-2 series lead, and a big factor in their success has been James Harden. After bouncing back from a slow start, Harden has picked up his play, averaging 24.3 points on 42.9% shooting from the field and 42.3% from behind the arc between Games 3 and 5.
Despite being a future Hall of Famer, Harden has a poor track record when it comes to closing out games. Dating back to his time with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2022 playoffs, Harden’s team has gone 1-4 over his previous Game 6 appearances. He is averaging 16.8 points on 37.2% shooting from the field.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: For Pistons, 3 things must happen to avoid elimination vs. Cavs in Game 6
Reporting by Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
