Against all odds, the Pistons won’t end the season on a losing streak.
Detroit’s decimated squad stumbled into a win in Dallas over the Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic-less Mavericks, who are already locked into a first-round playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Mavs could’ve kept their hopes alive to jump up to the No. 4 seed and secure home court advantage against the Clips, but what’s left of the Pistons closed that door.
Marcus Sasser led the way for the Pistons with 24 points, helping the team to a 107-89 win, just their 14th of the season. Sasser scored 13 points in the third quarter alone.
Detroit snapped a six game losing streak with the win. Before Friday’s victory, they dropped 14 of their last 15 games. The Pistons snapped Dallas’ five game winning streak. Heading into the night, the Mavericks also won 12 of their last 13 games.
Two-way player Jared Rhoden put together some nice film, dropping 11 points and adding four rebounds and three blocks. He averaged 21.2 points per game in the G League for the Motor City Cruise this season.
Chimezie Metu scored 18 points, going 4-for-5 from three. He also grabbed eight rebounds and two steals. James Wiseman also got a clean double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Cade Cunningham (knee) did not play in the return to his home town. Jalen Duren was a late scratch due to back spasms, according to the Bally Sports Detroit broadcast.
Jaden Ivey was the only key member of the Pistons’ young group left on the court tonight. He put up just seven points on 3-for-9 from the field and 0-for-4 from three, but added five assists and two steals.
A loss against the Mavericks would have guaranteed Detroit the worst record in the NBA this season. An honor they owned last season too. After the Washington Wizards lost a heartbreaker to the Chicago Bulls 129-127 tonight, Washington is just one game better than Detroit with one to go.
No matter what, the Pistons will have the best odds in May’s NBA Draft Lottery, along with the rest of the team’s who finish with a bottom three record. A Pistons loss in their season finale or a Wizards win guarantees Detroit the league’s worst record, which gives them a floor of the fifth pick in the NBA Draft. The worst they can do is tie with Washington with a win on Sunday and a Wizards loss.
The Pistons (14-67) finish their season in San Antonio Sunday against the Spurs (21-60), tipping at 3:30 p.m. ET. It’s unclear whether Cunningham or Duren will play in the finale. Cunningham has now sat out six straight games. I’m sure either suiting up is unlikely, but you never know.
We’re almost at the finish line, folks.