The Detroit Pistons suffered another setback on December 19, 2024, falling to the struggling Utah Jazz by a score of 126-119. This loss marks the Pistons' sixth defeat in their last seven games, highlighting their continued struggles this season.
Collin Sexton led the charge for the Jazz, scoring 30 points, supported by Keyonte George, who added 28 points. On the other side, Pistons star Cade Cunningham was the standout player for his team, scoring 33 points, along with seven assists and six rebounds. Despite Cunningham's efforts, the Pistons found themselves once again fighting from behind.
From the opening tip-off, the Pistons were met with fierce competition. The Jazz came out firing on all cylinders, knocking down nine three-pointers during the first quarter, resulting in a rapid 48-19 lead. While the Pistons struggled offensively, shooting only 8-for-24 overall and 1-for-11 from beyond the arc, the Jazz found success with their sharpshooting, indicating defensive lapses on the Pistons' part. The early dominance by the Jazz put the Pistons on the defensive immediately.
But the Pistons were not ready to roll over just yet. A furious rally commenced, fueled by strong defensive plays and scoring runs. By the end of the second quarter, the Pistons managed to tighten up their defense and force ten turnovers, helping them to outscore the Jazz 33-10 during one stretch. This improvement brought the Pistons within six points, trailing 58-52 at halftime.
Despite their second-quarter resurgence, the Pistons still faced considerable challenges. Utah's offensive firepower re-emerged after halftime, quickly pushing the lead back up to double digits. The Jazz executed key shots, including a dagger pull-up three-pointer by Keyonte George, which helped to quell the Pistons' comeback efforts.
The Pistons made it close again, cutting the lead to five points with just 1:45 remaining thanks to some clutch plays, including steals and fast-break layups. Malik Beasley stole the ball, leading to an easy transition basket by Ausar Thompson, and Cunningham capitalized on another miscue by laying the ball back up. But when it counted, the Jazz responded with timely shots, maintaining their lead.
Several key factors, including injuries, impacted the Pistons' play. Isaiah Stewart (left knee sprain) and Jaden Ivey (left knee inflammation) missed the game and were sorely missed, particularly due to their defensive presence. The team will have to assess their day-to-day statuses as they prepare for their upcoming games.
The intensity escalated during the third quarter when Paul Reed and Jordan Clarkson got tangled up after Reed's highlight play. The exchange of words led to both players receiving technical fouls, and Clarkson along with rookie Ron Holland was ejected for assuming fighting stances. Reflecting on this scuffle, Cunningham remarked on Holland's character, "That’s who Ron is. I could’ve had my eyes closed and guessed who was going to be in the middle of it. That’s just who he is. That’s the mentality of this team."
By the end of the game, Utah had increased their three-point success rate to 20-for-40, significantly outperforming the Pistons, who managed only 13-for-47 (27.7%). Both teams displayed stark contrasts from deep, and the Pistons will need to address their perimeter defense heading forward, especially since they have become susceptible to teams exploiting this weakness.
With their playoff hopes dwindling, the Pistons head for their holiday West Coast swing needing to find solutions quickly. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff expressed concern about the team's performance during post-game interviews. He noted the importance of Stewart's presence on the court and how it brings energy and leadership, saying, "His presence alone impacts the basketball game. The physicality he plays with, how he helps protect our paint... that's the spirit he plays with."
Moving forward, the Pistons will look to remedy their defensive lapses and recapture their early-season swagger, with Anthony Edwards’ blunt assessment ringing true: "We don’t have shit on offense. We don’t have no identity." It's evident the team needs to come together on both ends of the floor to reclaim any winning momentum.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on X @omarisankofa.
