2025 NBA Epitome Games: Detroit Pistons #NBA #Pistons #Jazz
You are watching the 2025 NBA Epitome game series presented by Law Murray Power Rankings Project Ring Master at The Athletic. This is where I pick out one game from each team from the last regular season. I am putting the spotlight on the biggest weakness of the 14 teams that missed the playoffs and the biggest strength of the 16 playoff teams from the regular season. This installment features the Detroit Pistons. The preseason odds for the Pistons were very, very low. Coming off of a franchise worst 68 loss season, they were projected to win only 25 games. And Detroit did start 0 and4 and nine and 15. Jaden Ivy suffered a season ending leg injury on New Year. But the Pistons turned it all the way around as Kate Cunningham became an all-star and was selected to the AllNBA third team while leading the Pistons to their first playoff appearance in six years and their first winning season in nine years. The Pistons even won a playoff game for the first time since 2008. Although they still haven’t won a playoff game at Lil Caesar’s Arena yet, while pushing the Knicks to six games in the quarterfinals. The epitome game for the Pistons came at Utah in early March. Tobias Harris did not dress due to personal leave while Larry Markin and John Collins were out for Utah on the second night of a backto-back. It was a game that demonstrated how physical the Pistons 10th ranked defense was. Late clock situation in the first quarter. Isaiah Kier finds Jaden Springer, but Springer finds himself surrounded. Four Pistons wound up being in the paint. Springer tries to pass it out. Jaylen Duran gets a hand on it. Malik Beasley collects the turnover and returns it for points. Overall, Utah had 11 first quarter turnovers. The Pistons had two steals. This is such an impressive play by your starting center. Jaylen Dur jumps the route, gets the steal, takes one dribble, and it’s more points off of turnovers. Utah had 18 turnovers overall in the first half of this game with the Pistons getting eight steals. The Pistons, their defense went up another level once Thompson was able to play regularly. Thompson led the team in steals. Gets the steal here and finds Ron Holland the second for more fast break points. Then finally K Cunningham. He led the team with four steals. This is the fourth of those steals. Just takes it away from Bryce Sensall. The Pistons won this game 134 to 106, collecting a season high 16 steals and forcing a season high 28 turnovers, outscoring Utah 36-10 off those turnovers. Detroit ranked ninth overall in opponent turnover percentage last season and seventh in points off turnovers. Detroit will look a little different in JB Bigger Staff’s second season as head coach. Iivey’s return from health bears watching as the Pistons played much better after his injury. Former Michigan teammates Caris Levert and Duncan Robinson are in while key rotation pieces Tim Hardway Jr., Malik Beasley, and Dennis Shruder are out. The Pistons have a star in motorcade. But it remains to be seen how much better the offense can be around him. Stay tuned for the next installment of the 2025 NBA game series featuring the LA Clippers.
2025 NBA Epitome Games: Detroit Pistons #NBA #Pistons #Jazz
