Key Highlights
- The Pistons are set for their final month of the regular season with a strong chance at securing the No. 1 seed.
- Bickerstaff faces challenges in managing rotation fatigue and focus among key bench players like Daniss Jenkins, Marcus Sasser, and Kevin Huerter.
- The Pistons will play three games against Washington and one against Golden State before clinching a top-two seed.
- Isaiah Stewart is expected to return from injury in time for the playoffs, providing valuable consistency.
Final Push: Preparing for the Playoffs
The Pistons are just one month away from their interregnum period between regular season and playoffs. With a strong chance of securing the No. 1 seed, Keith Langlois examines how head coach J.B. Bickerstaff is navigating fatigue and focus issues among his bench players.
Rotation Challenges
Bickerstaff has had to juggle several key role players over the final weeks of the season. Daniss Jenkins, Cade Cunningham’s backup, has seen a significant drop in production since the All-Star break. His numbers have fallen from 8.1 points and 3.2 assists per game to 5.8 points and 2.6 assists, despite playing slightly more minutes.
Similar struggles are faced by Marcus Sasser, who has struggled in his start for Ausar Thompson after an ankle injury. Despite some strong performances, Bickerstaff still finds it challenging to determine how to parcel out minutes effectively at the back end of the rotation.
Rebounding and Second-Chance Points
The Pistons’ rebounding prowess has been a key asset this season, but they faced a significant challenge against Toronto. Despite being the NBA’s third-best rebounding team, they got outrebounded 48-39 by the Raptors, who are ranked 20th in rebounding. This disparity translated into 30 second-chance points for the home team, highlighting the importance of managing fatigue and focus.
“Give them credit – I thought they were quicker to the ball,” Bickerstaff said. “They had multiple guys that were going to attack it.” The loss underscores the ongoing challenges Bickerstaff faces in maintaining his rotation’s effectiveness during this critical stretch.
Bench Puzzle
With Isaiah Stewart expected back from a calf injury, his role is clear for the playoffs. However, Bickerstaff will need to find opportunities for other players like Ron Holland II and Caris LeVert as they navigate their roles in the final four weeks of the season.
LeVert’s ability to function both on and off the ball makes him a valuable asset, but his series of nagging injuries have prevented him from consistently contributing. A strong finish for LeVert could bring clarity to Bickerstaff’s bench puzzle.
The Road Ahead
With only three games against Washington and one against Golden State remaining before clinching their top-two seed, the Pistons are set to play in what Bickerstaff calls “baseball series.” The focus will be on securing home-court advantage through the first three rounds while sorting out the back end of the rotation.
“It’s who they are. They’ve been resilient for the year and a half, two years we’ve been here, so none of it’s a surprise,” Bickerstaff said. “The most important thing – and I want to say this publicly – is you don’t have bad days with these guys. Regardless of what happens – win, lose – they show up with a great attitude, a willingness to learn, and a desire to be coached.”