DETROIT, MI – Stop me if you’ve heard this before: The Detroit Pistons are having a tough time defending the three point line. Despite 4 players in double figures, the Pistons couldn’t keep up with the Milwaukee Bucks losing 128-107. Star Cade Cunningham led with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, but it wasn’t enough against a determined Bucks team making up for early season struggles.

The final margin might not show it, but this was a game the Pistons cared greatly about winning. The loss eliminated from advancing in the Emirates NBA Cup. For many of the young players on the team, it was the most meaningful NBA basketball they’ve played. And ultimately the pressure might’ve gotten to them, especially when the opponent has championship experienced players. This sentiment was echoed by Pistons coaches and players who were happy to play meaningful basketball.

PLAYOFFS?!

“For a lot of our team this was the biggest game they’ve played in,” Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff said.

Despite the sting of losing, the experience of both teams wanting to advance provided a taste of playoff basketball. And the Pistons want more.

“We’re definitely happy with the fact we put ourselves in this position,” Cunningham said. “This was the first meaningful game of my career, a lot of our careers. Now we’re on to trying to get into the playoffs, and feel that again.”

That was the constant refrain from Cunningham during the post game press conference. But the Pistons first have to learn how to win games like presented with tonight. That’s something coach Bickerstaff believes you can prepare for, but also that there’s no substitute for experience.

“The NBA doesn’t let you skip steps,” Bickerstaff said. “The guys in that room (Bucks) who have championships, they didn’t reach their goals at first.”

“You don’t know what it feels like until you go through that.”

Where experience is necessary to learn in some cases, the Pistons three point defense needs to clean it up sooner than later. It’s a weakness that compounds and fortifies other team negatives in a way that nullifies their developing gritty, physical style of play.

Three Point WOES

The Pistons have had their backs broken like they’re Batman and whoever is shooting is the villainous Bane. With three point shooting in particular the Pistons have defend initially well. But will give up a three toward end of shot clock, or off second chance attempts. It’s proven to be an absolute momentum and drive stopper, which could further delay growth and progress.

The Pistons have allowed their opponents to shoot nearly 37% from behind the arch this year. And they didn’t start off their Emirates NBA Cup game versus the Milwaukee Bucks showing any signs of improvement. Instead they allowed the Bucks to shoot 15-21, over 70%, from three in the first half.

It looked like a scene out of the classic movie Pleasantville where absolutely nobody could miss. Surprisingly this time Brook Lopez, notorious Pistons destroyer, wasn’t one of the main culprits. But it seemed like just about everyone else had the game set to rookie mode.

Giannis Antetokounmpo just missed a triple double in the Milwaukee Bucks NBA Cup win over the Pistons. He scored an efficient 28 points on 10-11 shooting to go with 7 rebounds and 8 assists in a dominant performance.

Dame Lillard didn’t play in the first matchup of the season between these two teams, but he made his presence felt in this one. Lillard chipped in a solid 27 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists while keeping the Pistons defense off balance.

The Bucks eventually cooled off and settled into a measly 56.1% from three by the end of the game. They attempted more threes, 41, than the Pistons had made field goals (40-87).

Good news is they know and are working toward a solution with the right mindset. It will be needed as they aren’t yet skilled enough to overcome both a team shooting lights out, and gaining more free throw attempts. Which prompted the perfect response from the Pistons coach.

“It’s difficult, but we have to find a way,”Bickerstaff said. “Overcoming those types of things, we just have to be able to do. No one is going to give you anything. We have to go and take the respect of the league.”

Have the Pistons earned your respect?