Despite a 5-8 start, the Detroit Pistons have become one of the most interesting NBA teams to watch. Their games bring a range of different emotions. Fans might feel surprised, annoyed, or anxious—all within one matchup.
In their last two games, the Pistons built double-digit leads only to lose them. They battled back both times, making the finishes thrilling. They managed to pull out a win against the Miami Heat but fell short against the Milwaukee Bucks. As entertaining as these games are, sustaining success will require consistency. If the Pistons can build leads, they must learn to keep them.
As Detroit prepares to face the Toronto Raptors in game two of their road trip, it’s worth asking: What makes them must-watch TV? Is it time to retire jokes about Detroit’s past struggles? Should we appreciate the Pistons’ resurgence? Let’s dive into what’s fueling this new era in Pistons basketball.
How the Detroit Pistons Have Become Must-See Basketball
Pistons Basketball: Last Season’s Vibes and Current Transformation
Opponents still walk into matchups with the Pistons expecting an easy win—and, given last season, it’s understandable. This was the team with the league’s worst record, going 14-68 and suffering through a brutal 28-game losing streak. With so many roster changes and a new coaching staff, it’s plausible for teams to assume the Pistons are still trying to find their footing. The reality, however, is that Detroit has been gelling since the preseason.
The backcourt duo of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey has emerged as one of the most promising in the league. Add in Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley’s strong contributions, plus Tobias Harris’ veteran presence, and the Pistons have been coming out swinging, hitting teams hard and early. Times have changed in Detroit, and it’s time the league takes notice of what this team is building.
Same Issues, New Challenges to Overcome
Despite the Pistons’ progress, two recurring issues still hold them back: turnovers and closing out games. With 17.2 turnovers per game, they rank 28th in the NBA, and Cunningham’s 5.0 turnovers per game lead the league. Their struggles with ball security give opponents extra possessions to turn the tide, making it tough to hold onto double-digit leads. If the Pistons can cut down on turnovers, those leads might become safer.
In crunch time, it’s natural for the team’s best player to take the reins. For the Pistons, that responsibility falls on Cunningham. As the closer, he has the ball in his hands, and his decisions often make or break the game. While Cunningham has shown plenty of promise, he occasionally forces plays that lead to costly mistakes. When the offense stalls, teammates tend to fall into a passive “stand-and-watch” mode, relying on Cunningham’s isolation play and making the offense predictable. To truly compete, the Pistons need consistent ball and player movement for the full 48 minutes.
Thrilling Crunch Time Moments and Late-Game Struggles
There’s something about clutch shooting that turns the final minutes into a roller coaster for the Pistons. On Tuesday night, Tyler Herro hit three three-pointers, erasing a nine-point lead and tying the game. Only a flawless inbounds play—and an unexpected timeout call by Erik Spoelstra—sealed the win for Detroit.
The very next night against the Bucks, the Pistons saw a similar story unfold. After shooting just 36% from the field and 28% from three in the first half, Milwaukee surged to 54% field goal shooting and 50% from beyond the arc in the second. Despite the shift in momentum, Detroit nearly pulled off a win, but two missed free throws from Ron Holland in the closing seconds sent the game to overtime, which they couldn’t overcome. For the Pistons, no lead is safe, and for their opponents, no deficit is too large to overcome.
The Last Word
In a season defined by thrilling highs and frustrating lows, the Detroit Pistons are showing signs of growth, yet their journey is far from complete. They’ve become a team that can’t be ignored—playing with grit, surprising teams, and building leads that make them a formidable opponent. But to turn those leads into wins, they’ll need to address key weaknesses like turnovers and late-game execution. As the Pistons build chemistry and tighten up in crunch time, the foundation for future success is forming. For Pistons fans, the ups and downs may be nerve-wracking, but they’re signs of something special on the horizon.
