The Detroit Pistons surged into a strong playoff position by going 10-1 in a stretch that began Feb. 7.
Since then, they’ve lost four of six, including their last two.
They’ll try to get back on a winning track when they begin a three-game road trip by facing the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night.
The Pistons have gained respect around the league with their playoff push, but coach J.B. Bickerstaff said they’re not getting the same level of respect from officials after a technical foul-laden 113-107 loss to visiting Oklahoma City on Saturday night.
“I’m extremely proud of the way they continued to compete,” Bickerstaff said of his players. But he added that he was “disgusted by the way that game was officiated.”
Detroit was called for five technicals, including two on leading scorer Cade Cunningham, causing his ejection. As a result, he tied a season low with 11 points in just 29 minutes.
“We deserve a level of respect because we’re competing our tails off,” Bickerstaff said. “We’re growing young players and our young players are competing their tails off.”
The Pistons trailed by 11 late in the third quarter when Cunningham was called for a personal foul, then received the technicals for arguing, and teammate Dennis Schroeder also received a technical for arguing. The Thunder made all three technical free throws and one of two for the personal.
The lead grew to 15, and even though Detroit got as close as one point twice in the fourth quarter, it could never catch up.
“Obviously when you get a six-point swing it’s tough,” Pistons guard Malik Beasley said, “but we’ve got to be better mentally.”
New Orleans has lost six of its last seven games after a 119-115 loss at San Antonio on Saturday. The Pelicans have been injury-plagued all season and played Saturday without star forward Zion Williamson (personal reasons), whose status for Monday is unclear.
The biggest issue against the Spurs was turnovers. New Orleans committed 18, leading to a minus-14 net in points off turnovers.
“When you’re missing guys our margin for error is small,” head coach Willie Green said. “We have to do a better job of valuing possessions.”
CJ McCollum scored 26 points and Trey Murphy III added 20, but the Pelicans have had to lean on role players in expanded roles.
Players such as forward Kelly Olynyk, center Karlo Matkovic and guard/forward Bruce Brown have responded, and the trio combined for 45 points against San Antonio.
Olynyk and Brown were acquired from Toronto in the Brandon Ingram trade last month and Matkovic is a rookie who had his third double-double in the last 10 games (12 points and 11 rebounds) Saturday.
“I view this as an opportunity,” Green said. “That’s our message to the team, it’s an opportunity and you’ve got to try and take advantage of it.”
The Pelicans have been getting balanced scoring, and all five starters scored in double figures against the Spurs. But the absences are taking a toll on the depth, and New Orleans’ bench was outscored 55-24.
–Field Level Media
