Pistons' loss to Bucks cements sixth seed and a playoff meeting with the Knicks

By / / Sports / 6 minutes of reading


DETROIT — While Detroit Pistons fans at Little Caesars Arena watched their team fall 125-119 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, those who return for the next home game will be part of playoff basketball in Detroit for the first time since 2019.

The loss cemented the Pistons (44-37) as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, as the Bucks (47-34) secured the fifth spot. Detroit will match up against the New York Knicks (50-31) for its first-round playoff series.

Yes, Giannis Antetokounmpo notched his fourth triple-double in his last five games to power the Bucks past the Pistons. And Detroit will now go back to the drawing board to decide how to best attempt to neutralize Antetokounmpo during both teams’ regular-season finale Sunday (should all the starters play).

But while the Pistons were processing the loss, they were also granted clarity on their playoff seeding and first-round matchup. They’re sixth in the East for the first time since 2008 and will begin their playoff journey at Madison Square Garden.

The conference standings were finalized a day after the Pistons beat the Knicks for the third time in four games this season.

But back to Friday: Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to victory with 32 points on 11-of-22 shooting, 15 assists and 11 rebounds, all team highs. Cade Cunningham dueled down the stretch with Antetokounmpo, finishing with a game-high 36 points on 15-of-21 from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point range, 12 assists and six rebounds.

It’s imperative Detroit doesn’t allow the excitement of its impending first-round series to distract it from Sunday’s game against the Bucks. The postseason presents a new set of challenges, but it’d be less than ideal to go into the playoffs on a two-game losing streak and having lost six of the final eight.

“They (the Bucks) have guys that have been there before,” Cunningham said after Friday’s loss. “They have champions on that team. So, to be able to go against them right now, to prepare for the playoffs is great for us. We’re just trying to learn as much as we can each game to prepare us for that and to hopefully get us where we need to be to win this first series.”

Although he spoke about the group as a whole learning over these last regular-season games, Cunningham has done so individually, as well. He’s notched three straight games over 30 points for the first time this season and quickly returned to All-Star, and potentially All-NBA, form after missing six consecutive games with left calf soreness.

The 23-year-old guard is averaging 35.7 points on 66.7 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from long range, 8.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks during his last three games. He’s playing his best, most efficient basketball this season, at least over a three-game stretch.

“Cade is just an unbelievable talent, of course, so you know he’s going to have his nights,” Milwaukee guard Kevin Porter Jr. said. “Cade made a lot of tough shots.”

Malik Beasley was the lone Piston outside of Cunningham to score at least 20, adding 21 points on 7-of-14 from distance. Beasley has been in his own offensive rhythm over his last eight outings. He’s been good for 16.8 points on 35.5 percent from behind the arc during that span.

Beasley, like Cunningham, was displeased with the loss while also eager for the playoff matchup that awaits.

“I feel like the last 10 games have been playoff games,” Beasley said from the locker room, “in terms of the teams we’ve played since they all have to get their spots, too. So it’s huge for us, learning how to play down the stretch, learning how to do certain schemes on defense and also on offense execute.”

Seven of Detroit’s last 10 games have come against teams that will be in the postseason, whether the playoffs or Play-In.

J.B. Bickerstaff and the Pistons have the Bucks once more, this time in Milwaukee, before preparing for their playoff series. The Pistons’ postseason will begin April 19, but the game schedule against New York has yet to be released.

While the schedule isn’t finalized, the first game will be at Madison Square Garden. An arena Cunningham has thrived in, averaging 32.5 points on 52.3 percent and 56.3 percent from distance, 9.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds and a steal in his two trips this season.

Cunningham has publicly combated complacency all season. He’s occasionally spoken on what certain milestones have meant to him, but he’s largely not allowed himself too much time to relish his accomplishments.

But Friday, after his penultimate regular-season game, Cunningham was forthcoming with his feelings.

“It is special for us. We all feel great about what we’ve done this year,” Cunningham said from the postgame podium. “For the city, that’s the main thing, is bringing playoff basketball back to Detroit. I think we all feel great about that. We’re super happy for the city and for the fan base.”

But of course, Cunningham couldn’t go too far without acknowledging more work lies ahead.

“We’re not satisfied at all,” he said. “I’ve said it before, we’re still hungry. We want to go win this first round. So that’s where our focus is right now. And I think the energy in (Little Caesars Arena) has been amazing, but I still don’t think that’s going to compare to what the playoffs are going to be like. So, I’m excited to see that, for sure.”

Cunningham will have to wait until games 3 and 4 to experience the atmosphere of playoff basketball in Detroit. But he and the rest of the Pistons have certainty on their seeding and who they will see. That’s a complete turnaround from this time last year, when Detroit entered its last game of the season having already lost 67 games.

“It’s a lot to reflect on,” Cunningham said. “It feels like it’s been a two-, three-year thing. But for us to have done it so quickly, I think it’s just a testament to the group of people that we brought into the building. From the staff to the coaching staff, to (Trajan Langdon) and our vets on the team. There’s been so many people that have come in and made such a positive impact on the building.

“So, the guys who’ve been around, we’re super thankful for that. The chip that last year put on our shoulder, I think everybody understands that and wants to come in and make a change. So, like I said, we feel great for the city to have put ourselves in the position we’re in now. And now it’s about working our way and trying to find ways to win the championship.”

(Photo of Cade Cunningham being defended by AJ Green: Mike Mulholland / Getty Images)





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