2024-01-22

Detroit Pistons collapse late, can’t get over hump in 122-113 loss to Milwaukee Bucks

Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press

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The Detroit Pistons had a narrow lead midway through the fourth quarter. From there, the Milwaukee Bucks took over.

A 15-4 run sealed the Pistons’ fate, as they fell to the Bucks for the second time in as many games on Monday, 122-113, at Little Caesars Arena. Like Saturday, it was a competitive game with 16 lead changes and 12 ties. But the Bucks made a number of key plays in the final 6 minutes.

A 3-pointer by Malik Beasley gave them a six-point cushion with 3:30 to play, and a wild battle for control of the ball ended with a Brook Lopez dunk to push it to eight. A 3-pointer from former Pistons second-round pick Khris Middleton was the final dagger that pushed the deficit to double-digits.

Marcus Sasser had a strong night with 23 points, and Isaiah Stewart added 19 points, eight rebounds and five blocks (career-high) after missing Saturday’s game with a left ankle sprain.

Isaiah Stewart returns, spearheads defense

Late in the first quarter, the fourth-year big man rotated in time to reject Bobby Portis’ 3-point attempt. Detroit’s ensuing fastbreak opportunity ended prematurely with a turnover. Stewart then made his second impressive defensive play in as many possessions, shutting down Milwaukee’s three-man break.

It appeared the Bucks were on pace for a big night behind-the-arc early in the first after knocking down their first three 3-point attempts. The slump that followed allowed Detroit to enter halftime trailing by two, despite also going cold in the second quarter.

Detroit’s defensive struggles have masked another solid defensive season by Stewart, who showed his value on that end after missing Saturday. He led the defensive charge early, and Monday’s first half was one of the team’s better efforts this season.

Milwaukee missed its remaining 14 3-point attempts in the first half, going 3-for-17 (17.6%) to tie their second-worst first-half performance this season. It was uncharacteristically bad for a team ranking fifth overall in makes per game (14.3) and sixth in percentage (38%). The Pistons deserve credit, as they held the Bucks to 41.3% overall and had six blocks through the first two quarters.

The Pistons are the NBA’s worst defensive team, narrowly edging out the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards with a 120.8 defensive rating. Sustaining energy on that end of the floor has been an issue and is one of the key reasons behind their historically bad start. But they’ve had more life as of late, with Mike Muscala giving the second unit an experienced vet who knows where to be.

Marcus Sasser returns to scoring ways

The rookie couldn’t miss early — or late.

He made his first three shots of the night for 10 points at halftime, and then scored Detroit’s final five points of the third to set up a back-and-forth fourth quarter. A dazzling Euro step layup gave Detroit its first lead of the second half early in the fourth.

The 2023 late first-round pick has been on the edge of Monty Williams’ rotation for most of the season, behind three recent lottery picks, Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Killian Hayes, and a veteran in Alec Burks. Despite his lack of minutes, Sasser has been among Detroit’s most efficient scorers shooting 46.4% overall and 41.5% from 3 entering Monday.

Sasser sliced through Milwaukee’s drop defense with floaters and short jumpers, lifting the Pistons following a flat third quarter in which they slumped to 40.9% shooting. He made a strong case for more playing time.

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Next up: Hornets

Matchup: Pistons (4-39) vs. Charlotte (9-31 entering Monday night).

Tipoff: 7 p.m. Wednesday; Little Caesars Arena, Detroit.

TV/radio: Bally Sports Detroit; WXYT-FM (97.1).