The Detroit Pistons lost their eighth consecutive game Wednesday night (March 27) against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and now, they’re getting dangerously close to setting a franchise record for the fewest wins in a season. So, what do the Pistons have to do to avoid hitting that no-so-flattering record?
It’s Not As Bad As It Looks
What’s frustrating is that the games where the Pistons are playing their best, such as Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves, they’re playing teams that are among the best in the league. So, even if the Pistons are playing very well for a game, chances are, that game just isn’t winnable for them. We need the team to play that well in all circumstances, and then, they’ll start clocking some wins. Because of that, in my opinion, the Pistons’ dismal season record isn’t really indicative of the strength of the team. They’re better than their record indicates.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that the Pistons aren’t playing as a team. They have stars. But, those stars aren’t jelling. More bad news comes from the fact that the team is really banged up right now. Jaden Ivey and James Wiseman are pretty much the only players who have stayed consistently healthy throughout the season. Cade Cunningham came back in the middle of the season to help the team get some wins, but his absence has been felt deeply for nearly two years now. So, maybe it is as bad as it looks.
Avoiding a Franchise Record for Fewest Wins
There are just nine games remaining in the regular season for the Pistons, and it’s imperative that they end it on a high note. Earlier this season, they set an NBA record for consecutive losses in a season at 28. But, if they want to avoid another dismal record, being the franchise record for the fewest wins, the Pistons have to win four more games this season. That’s a big ask.
Most of the upcoming games for the Pistons are on the road, which will make it more difficult to pull off a win. Upcoming opponents include the Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs. Many of those teams are beatable. But, winning nearly half of their remaining games seems a stretch, especially considering that the Pistons have only won 12 games this season.
Looking at the competition, the Pistons have the best chance of beating the Wizards, Spurs, Grizzlies and Nets. It could be done, as all of those teams have a losing record. But, all the right pieces have to fall into place to make it happen.
Then, there’s also the question of whether the Pistons should go all out for the wins or just wait until next season. For star player Cunningham, getting out of this season healthy and ready for the fall is a priority. He played on Wednesday but is still managing a left knee injury. He might not play on Friday (March 29) when the Pistons take on the Washington Wizards, according to the injury report. So, laying low and resting up is really the focus for Cunningham right now, and that could mean more losses for Detroit.
Considering all of those factors, I think it’ll be difficult for the Pistons to avoid setting that record for the fewest wins in a season. But, I urge you to give new coach Monty Williams a chance. Rome wasn’t built overnight, as they say. He needs more time to fix this very broken franchise that he inherited, so give him the space to do so. I love this team and want to see them thrive once again.