Can the Pistons’ pillars save their season?

In the aftermath of Game 5 between the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers, there were quotes about “mental toughness,” “mental fortitude,” and “resiliency, grit.” Based on everything we know from this season, surely those quotes came to describe the Detroit Pistons?

No, those were quotes from Kenny Atkinson, Donovan Mitchell and Max Strus of the Cavs. They were describing their effort to come back, steal home-court advantage and give themselves a chance to end this series in Cleveland on Friday.

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Now to no one’s surprise, the Pistons believe they are still in this. Cade Cunningham reminded us that “it’s first to four wins.” J.B. Bickerstaff was a little louder with the Pistons’ overall mindset. Their backs may be against the wall, but the mission remains clear. The palms won’t be dry, the knees are not weak, etc.

That’s been the Pistons’ identity all season, and it has lifted them to this point. They have a team mindset and mentality. A swarming and active defense. A leader in Cunningham, whose 30 points a night in the playoffs are the most in Pistons franchise history.

But can the Pistons lean on that identity and those pillars to save their season? Or will what got them this far ultimately be their undoing?

Can Cunningham, Duren find their rhythm?

For their season to continue and for the Pistons to really fire, they will need their engine, Cunningham, running at a high level.

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The journey of the series has gone up and down. Early on, Cunningham worked to make the Cavaliers’ defense pay. That led to Cleveland delivering a number of different defensive schemes. The battle now is if Cleveland can keep mixing things up, or if Cunningham can work to poke at each scheme.

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Cleveland’s first shift was working to use its bigs to trap Cunningham. Take his space away, force the ball out of his hands.

The key has been the Cavaliers’ weakside defense. You would assume two on the ball would open up the roller, but the Cavs have planted defenders in the lane. Ausar…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/can-the-pistons-pillars-save-their-season-142324136.html

Author : Steve Jones

Publish date : 2026-05-15 14:23:00

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