DETROIT – Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said a day away from the court helped his team mentally reset, but the emphasis quickly shifted to identity and execution ahead of Game 2 against the Orlando Magic.
After reviewing the film, Bickerstaff said the Pistons focused on correcting issues that strayed from their core approach.
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“We came in and watched film yesterday to see what was happening and have discussions about how we solve it,” Bickerstaff said. “Then we came in today and got in a lot of work to execute the things that we think are going to help make us successful.”
The biggest concern: defense.
“It starts always with us defensively,” Bickerstaff said. “We weren’t ourselves. Typically, when we play them, they go to the free-throw line a ton, around 36 times a game. We went 38, but they went 19. That means we weren’t playing our brand of basketball, being physical, being aggressive. That set the tone.”
Rather than overhauling strategy, Bickerstaff stressed a return to form before making adjustments.
“You want to put your best foot forward,” Bickerstaff said. “But you can’t make changes based on a performance where you didn’t give yourself a chance by playing to your true identity.”
That mindset reflects the Pistons’ season-long approach, focusing on incremental wins.
“Our focus is always on the moment,” Bickerstaff said. “What do we do today to win today? Then it’s shootaround, then the first possession. If you do enough of those things right, it adds up.”
Offensively, Detroit is looking to get one of its primary playmakers, Jalen Duren, more involved after Orlando disrupted pick-and-roll actions.
“We’ve got to put the ball in his hands,” Bickerstaff said. “They did a good job pinching the pick and roll and not letting him get it. We’ve got to find different ways for him to touch it.”
Bickerstaff acknowledged the challenge of in-game adjustments, particularly with rotations and late-game lineups.
“It’s a balancing act,” Bickerstaff said. “You’re trying to figure out in the moment what the team needs, more ball handling, different spacing, while also keeping guys in roles where they can be effective.”
The Magic’s defensive approach, packing the paint and helping aggressively, forced Detroit to explore spacing counters in practice.
“There are ways around it,” Bickerstaff said. “Different ways to space the floor and create openings. We worked on it.”
Despite the Game 1 loss, Bickerstaff pointed to positives, including strong stretches from key contributors and the team’s growing comfort with playoff intensity.
“It was good for us to feel playoff basketball,” Bickerstaff said. “Understanding the difference, teams hunting you versus you being the hunter.”
He also noted a sluggish start that may have stemmed from time off.
“We were a little flat,” Bickerstaff said. “You go a week without playing, and they’ve been playing for their lives. There was a different feel, and our guys recognize it.”
Facing a physically imposing Orlando lineup, Bickerstaff credited the opponent’s versatility.
“They’re talented. They’ve got size, physicality, they pressure the paint, and they can switch defensively,” Bickerstaff said. “They’re a good, well-coached team.”
Still, the message for Detroit remains simple heading into Game 2: rediscover their identity and build from there.
Detroit will look to tie the series on Wednesday (April 22) at 7 p.m. inside Little Caesars Arena.