The Pistons turnover problems are turning potential wins into losses
Seeing the Detroit Pistons stage a huge comeback is becoming a regular feature of the 2024-25 season. That is because the roster is much-improved and Cade Cunningham has taken the leap to All-Star (and even All-NBA) status.
The issue is that to stage a huge comeback, you have to fall way behind. That is also a common feature this season, too common. It’s great that the Pistons never give up and have the talent and poise to execute late. But they need to stop getting in their own way.
Last night’s 111-100 loss to the Indiana Pacers was a perfect example. The team came out lethargic and unfocused, and the Pacers took advantage. Detroit, ranked 22nd in turnover percentage coming into the game, committed 13 first-half turnovers. That allowed the Pacers to build a 13-point halftime lead that they stretched to 20 in the third quarter.
It is exciting to see the Pistons scratch and claw their way back, cutting it to six with three minutes left in the game, but Detroit is a good enough team to avoid those massive holes they have been digging themselves out of in the first place.
Even the comeback against the Pacers was emblematic of all the unforced errors that are turning potential wins into losses. The Pistons cut it to six points and then they give away a possession with a careless pass or an unforced error.
Writing about turnover. Never fun but always seemingly relevant with these Pistons.
— Sean Corp (@seancorp.bsky.social) 2025-01-17T16:30:25.740Z
The Pistons are one of four teams in the NBA with at least 12 games with at least 19 turnovers. The Jazz are 3-11 in such games, Grizzles are 5-9, the Raptors are 4-8 and the Pistons are a robust 6-6.
That includes a loss where the Pistons were within six late in the fourth against the Pacers, within seven midway through the fourth against the Celtics and an overtime loss to the Hornets.
It’s great that these are the margin that now matter. Last year’s team had myriad problems, including prolific turnover games, and when they went down by 20, they usually stayed down by 20.
These Pistons are different. But old (bad) habits die hard. They need to learn how to lock in for a full 48 minutes. Detroit is currently third in the NBA in points allowed in the fourth quarter. but they are 21st in first-quarter defense and 26th in second-quarter defense. If the team wants to take the next step, it is sitting right there in front of them. They can largely control their own destiny by eliminating the carelessness, the early lethargy, and the crucial turnovers.