The Detroit Pistons ended their two-game losing skid by defeating the Washington Wizards, 122-111. They improved to 7-3 with another balanced team attack in their home win. Detroit's offensive identity has had a different look due to necessity and coaching. Head coach JB Bickerstaff has emphasized the benefits of playing team basketball rather than relying heavily on a single player.
“We're playing team basketball. Not relying on just one guy, although we know how important Cade (Cunningham) is to us. We move the ball, we share the ball, we've got guys who are capable of making plays. That's how we're going to stay through the ups and downs of the season,” Bickerstaff explained to the media.
Instead of strictly leaning on their star talent like point guard Cade Cunningham, the Pistons have used multiple teammates to generate offensive sets. Cunningham was tenth in usage back in 2024-25, but that on-ball responsibility has dialed back. Last season, he finished 20th in usage and is currently 25th in usage this season.
This strategy has paid off so far, while the Pistons continue playing like one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Detroit produced 31 assists on 43 made field goals. The Pistons have allowed small forward Auasar Thompson to bring the ball up and initiate the offense more often. Bickerstaff has elected to take Cunningham off the ball more often instead of bringing the ball up.
Opponents make it a priority to send multiple defenders at Detroit's All-Star point guard when he has the ball. To add better spacing and team production, Cunningham has been a useful off-ball target for their offense. The offensive adjustment has even reduced his turnovers, as he is down to 12th in the league. Cunningham has been top-five in turnovers over the past three seasons.
Pistons go with new starting lineup
Bickerstaff experimented with a new starting five in their matchup against the Wizards. The Pistons added point guard Daniss Jenkins to the starting lineup in place of center Paul Reed. Reed has been filling in for All-NBA center Jalen Duren since his hamstring injury against the Miami Heat. Bickerstaff decided to use Reed off the bench and try the small-ball lineup of Cunningham, Jenkins, Thompson, Duncan Robinson, and John Collins.
Article Continues Below“I think D.J. has earned more with the way that he has sparked us coming off the bench. We've talked about our starts and how we thought we could improve those starts,” Bickerstaff explained. “Matchups dictated some of that, also. Being able to have him go up against Trae Young and put A.T. (Ausar Thompson) on A.J. (Dybantsa). I thought that matchup would be good for us as well. Trying to find a spark to start, but also matchups played a spark as well.”
Jenkins also has shared responsibility for initiating offense for the Pistons. However, he has flourished as an off-ball scorer and spot-up shooter as well. He showed out with 22 points as a starter in the winning effort against the Wizards.
Collins led the Pistons in scoring with 24 points, including ten rebounds to complete a double-double. Robinson added 22 points for Detroit in 34 minutes. Cunningham pitched in 17 points for the Pistons as well.