A 121-110 loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday stretched their losing streak to four games, Pistons longest of the season. The cushion over the Boston Celtics, which stood at 5.5 games just a week ago, has shrunk to 2.5 games.
“Everybody goes through difficult times or goes through a little bit of a rut,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We just found ours right now. We’ve got plenty of time left to do what we got to do. Boston, obviously, is a good team. But we’re not concerned about Boston.”
Three of the four losses came against quality opponents in Cleveland, San Antonio and Miami. Saturday’s defeat to Brooklyn was the only stumble against a weaker side.
Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren combined for 50 points in the loss and remain the cornerstones of a franchise that has turned around quickly. Detroit went 14-68 just two years ago, won 44 games and reached the playoffs last season, and has already notched 45 wins this season with 19 games to go.
Veteran forward Tobias Harris, the oldest player on the roster, acknowledged the tough stretch but expressed confidence in the group.
“Obviously, it’s probably our biggest dose of adversity all year,” Harris said. “We’ll be fine. Keep our heads high and just on to the next. Let’s figure out a way that we can be better as a group.”
Harris made clear the locker room mood remains serious and focused, adding that the team expects to get back on a winning streak and be ready heading into the playoffs.
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