RODNEY MCGRUDER

DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons looked to bid farewell to Little Caesars Arena on a positive note. After thumping the Pistons 30-8 in the first quarter, the Bucks kept up the pressure to down the Pistons 131-101. The Bucks quickly got out to a 10-point lead as the Pistons struggled to get their shots to fall. The Bucks ended the night making nearly 50 percent of their overall field goals. The Pistons ended the first, making just three of their 21 overall field goal attempts and went 0-of-14 from the three-point line.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons looked to make sure they came out with the right disposition. Two days later, they faced the Atlanta Hawks, who were playing their second game in two nights and the Pistons had no plans to spot them a second-straight win. Though there may have been a few moments where they loosened the reigns, they regathered them quickly enough to down the Hawks 122-101, their largest margin for a win this season. The Pistons seemed to gather their wits in the second quarter and controlled the game outscoring the Hawks 33-20. Detroit’s burst came after giving up four turnovers in the first, which Atlanta scored 10 points off of.

With holes to fill in the Detroit Pistons rotation, forward Isaiah Livers was not going to let the opportunity for extended minutes go to waste. So when the Pistons fell into a 14-point deficit Livers and his teammates chipped away it. First, Livers found Jerami Grant after making the extra pass off of a kick out from Saddiq Bey. “He’s doing so many other things,” Casey said. He’s finding a way in the core of our group with the way he’s performing.”Teammate Cade Cunningham said something similar on Sunday after the Pistons fell to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Pistons second-year guard Killian Hayes (Right Adductor; Contusion) and veteran guard Rodney McGruder (Left Hamstring; Strain) are both probable to return to action on Tuesday night. That would give the Pistons some much-needed depth at guard, should Cunningham miss action. Should Cunningham miss Tuesday’s game, Hayes would likely start beside veteran guard Cory Joseph. Detroit moved the second-year guard to the second unit as they eased him back from soreness in his left tibia. Hayes has found a rhythm leading the second unit and it has earned several minutes closing out games.

Cade Cunningham hit four free throws in the final 46 seconds to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 106-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Rudy Gobert scored 24 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked four shots to lead the Utah Jazz to a 111-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

After a comeback win two nights before the Detroit Pistons fell victim to several miscues and dropped the night’s game to the Utah Jazz. But the Jazz looked to force the first-year guard off of his spots, holding him to 4-of-12 shooting in the second half. The Jazz had 18 more trips to the stripe than the Pistons and made 29 of the 34 attempts. Jazz big man Rudy Gobert did the most damage at the charity stripe, scoring eight of his 24 points there. But the Jazz capitalized on the Pistons’ contact, making all seven of their free-throw attempts in the opening frame.

After falling to the league-leading Phoenix Suns on Sunday, the Pistons hit the road to meet with the no. 2 team in the NBA on Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors. Despite outscoring Golden State, 48-37 in the final two quarters, the damage had been done, as the Pistons fell by a final score of 102-86. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Detroit Pistons (10-33) vs. Sacremento Kings (18-28)When: Wednesday, January 19Time: 10:00 p.m. ETWhere: Golden 1 Center (Sacremento, Calif.)Channel: Bally Sports DetroitStream: DirecTV StreamCheck out the NBA standings and results on NBA.com

Klay Thompson scored 21 points, Stephen Curry had 18 and the Golden State Warriors returned from a tough trip to beat the Detroit Pistons 102-86.

The Detroit Pistons looked to dig out of a 34-point hole on Tuesday night but their late third-quarter rally came too late. They fell to the Golden State Warriors 102-86 in the first game of their four-game road trip. For much of the first half, Stewart tried to keep the Pistons afloat offensively as the Warriors punished them. He had five offensive rebounds in the first half to help the Pistons to 22 second-chance points. Curry, Thompson and Andrew Wiggins accounted for 56 of the Warriors’ 83 points by the end of the third quarter.

The Detroit Pistons deal with the Denver Nuggets for big man Bol Bol will not come to fruition. The Pistons voided trade after the team medical officials found an issue during Bol’s physical, per Mike Singer of the Denver Post. The 22-year-old was drafted 44th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft out of the University of Oregon and has played 14 games with the Nuggets this season. He has averaged 5.8 minutes per game where he has put up 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds. In 53 career games, he has averaged 2.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 6.2 minutes.

The Pistons-Nuggets traded that sent Bol Bol to Detroit has been voided after a failed physical, according to reports.

The Pistons have added a young center and some size to the lineup after a reported trade with the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

The Pistons acquired Bol Bol from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for guard Rodney McGruder and a 2022 second-round pick, a league source confirmed to MLive. Bol, a 7-2 forward, has been buried in the depth chart of the Nuggets and now has a chance at a bigger role with the restoring Pistons. In Bol, the Pistons receive some additional depth in the frontcourt that has struggled against some of the length in the NBA. He averaged 12 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in about 19 minutes per game on 57.7 percent shooting in the field. McGruder, 30, made 17 appearances this season with the Pistons, mostly coming off the bench.

Saddiq Bey scored a career-high 34 points and the Detroit Pistons beat Milwaukee 115-106 to snap the Bucks’ six-game winning streak.

Keldon Johnson scored 27 points and the San Antonio Spurs had their highest-scoring game of the season to beat short-handed Detroit 144-109, extending the Pistons’ road skid to 10.

Tyler Herro scored 29 points, Max Strus added 26 and the Miami Heat rallied to beat the short-handed Detroit Pistons 115-112.

The Detroit Pistons can’t seem to shake the injury bug during the preseason. pic.twitter.com/dtmtoJTpTP — Lauren L. Williams (@LaurenWilli23) October 12, 2021Cunningham has not been a full participant at practice since the first week of the Pistons’ training camp after injuring his ankle. The team has said that the injury is minor, but they wanted to take a cautious approach in the rookie’s recovery. The two young guards aren’t the only members of the Pistons’ backcourt listed on the injury report. McGruder, who started in the first preseason game is questionable to play on Wednesday due to a left hip strain.

OK, so who is actually on the Detroit Pistons’ roster? Here's a full breakdown.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons made a series of moves Saturday to pare their roster, waiving Tyler Cook, Cory Joseph and Deividas Sirvydis. At that point, the Pistons had 21 players on the roster and were well over the cap for the upcoming season. Joseph was guaranteed $12.6 million if he remained on the team Sunday. Sirvydis was guaranteed $1.5 million, while Cook’s contract was not guaranteed. In addition to the roster cuts, the Pistons announced that they extended qualifying offers to guards Hamidou Diallo, Frank Jackson and Saben Lee.

Brooklyn Nets forward Blake Griffin (2) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Sekou Doumbouya during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 26, 2021, in Detroit. Griffin scored 17 points and was part of a first-half dustup that resulted in Isaiah Stewart's ejection, and the Brooklyn Nets outlasted the Pistons 113-111 on Friday night. AdBy the end of the game, however, Detroit coach Dwane Casey didn't want to talk about Griffin at all. Brooklyn was still without Kevin Durant (left hamstring strain) and Kyrie Irving (personal reasons), but the Nets had enough to hold off the last-place Pistons. The Pistons went 34 for 47 on free throws.

Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo (7) shoots as Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) defends during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 19, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taromina/Pool Photo via AP)HOUSTON – Frank Jackson had a season-high 23 points and the Detroit Pistons handed the Houston Rockets their franchise-record 19th straight loss, 113-100 on Friday night. The injury-plagued Rockets were playing just their fourth game of the season where Christian Wood, Victor Oladipo and John Wall were all available. Wall had 21 points and seven assists, Oladipo had 19 points, and Wood 18 points and 11 rebounds. Rockets: Wall was charged with a flagrant foul on a second-quarter collision with Frank Jackson and later received a technical foul for arguing with officials in the third quarter.

The Detroit Pistons have had their struggles on offense this season, but they have tried to hang their hats on their defense. On Monday though, the San Antonio Spurs used a big second quarter to beat the Pistons, 109-99. Here are some takeaways:Quiet night on defense: On Saturday, the Pistons held a Brooklyn Nets team averaging 121.1 points per game to 100 points. San Antonio carved up Detroit for 69.6 percent overall shooting in the second quarter, and outscored the Pistons 36-26. It was the first time the Pistons took fewer than 27 three-point shot attempts.

San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray passes to forward Keldon Johnson (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Monday, March 15, 2021, in Detroit. DETROIT – Dejounte Murray had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead a balanced attack as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Detroit Pistons 109-99 on Monday night. “I thought this was a nice bounce-back performance from our guys,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. Tonight was a good night.”Josh Jackson had 15 points for the Pistons, who have lost four straight, while Grant scored 14. The Spurs shot 69.6% in the second quarter to build a 60-50 lead, then pulled away by as many as 14 early in the third quarter.

Though the Pistons found bursts throughout the night, they struggled to get the sparks going long enough to get back into the game. The Pistons also struggled to get shots to fall from beyond the arc despite more than 20 attempts from long range. It’s the second straight game that the Pistons have shot below 30 percent from three and the 11th time this season. The Pistons also struggled to make up some of the ground at the free-throw line, going 14-of-25. With Ellington sidelined, McGruder made his first start of the night and scored 13 points.

NEW YORK – James Harden scored 12 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and had his ninth triple-double with the Nets to help Brooklyn beat the Detroit Pistons 100-95 on Saturday night. Harden also added 10 rebounds and 10 assists in his 55th triple-double as Brooklyn improved to 26-13 with its 12th win in its last 16 games. Whereas the Nets rolling, the Pistons are stuck in neutral. “It's a good thing that we're staying close in these games,” Wright said. “We have a chance to to extend the lead,” Wright said.

With the second half of the season set to begin Thursday in Charlotte, here are the Pistons’ grades from the first half:Saddiq Bey: B+The No. He has become one of the Pistons’ most consistent shooters from long range, averaging 39.3 percent from three. He’s made the Pistons’ decision that much harder at point guard with such strong play and natural ability to lead. He’s also shown that he’s not afraid to take risks, as he has tried to dunk over NBA big men on three different occasions. Coach Dwane Casey and Staff: BCasey, in his third season with the Pistons, and his staff have been tasked with molding the foundation in the franchise’s rebuild.

Next man up was the mantra for both the Detroit Pistons and the Toronto Raptors. The Pistons ended the night the victors with a 129-105 win at the Raptors temporary home in Tampa, Florida. McGruder had averaged just seven minutes per game in 10 appearances, but he didn’t focus on the minutes he didn’t play. The Pistons ended the game with a season-high 40 assists, the most in any game for the franchise since Mar. Smith had three assists in the first quarter that resulted in seven Pistons points.

NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)TAMPA, Fla. – Wayne Ellington scored 25 points and the Detroit Pistons beat the virus-depleted Toronto Raptors 129-105 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game losing streak. The Raptors played without Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, three of their top four scorers, and reserves Malachi Flynn and Patrick McCaw because of the NBA's health and safety protocols. Toronto's scheduled Sunday night game against Chicago Bulls also was postponed. Raptors: F Yuta Watanabe got his first NBA start, but did not score.

Related: Klay Thompson, Draymond Green blast Pistons’ Rodney McGruderWhile Thompson and Green lambasted McGruder for being a tough guy, Ellington described his Pistons teammate as anything but. “And then, guys call him, you know all this tough guy talking all this stuff. Rod has never, ever tried to portray or act like a tough guy ever in this league. “So, for Draymond to sit up and talk all that type of crazy stuff behind a microphone, I think that’s the fake tough guy stuff, to be honest with you. It’s like, ‘Bro, get out of here.’ "Green, who addressed the incident in the postgame Zoom media availability, called McGruder a tough guy.

Detroit Pistons guard Rodney McGruder hasn’t played much this season and has pretty much gone under the radar. When the (expletive) Rodney McGruder become the tough guy on the team? Rodney (expletive) tough guy. So, Wayne Ellington must have went over to the bench … I guess he told Rodney McGruder because he hadn’t been in the game. But I know nobody is scared of no damn Rodney McGruder, like (expletive) kidding me?”The Pistons acquired McGruder in November from the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team deal.

Sekou Doumbouya and Josh Jackson were bright spots for the Detroit Pistons during the 2020 preseason. DETROIT – By our count, the Detroit Pistons have made 27 transactions in the last month, including trades, free agent signings, draft picks and cuts. Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles with the ball against Gary Trent Jr. #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers. Wayne Ellington of the Detroit Pistons looks on while playing the Washington Wizards during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on Feb. 11, 2019 in Detroit. Lee can spend up to 45 days on the Pistons’ roster while also playing in the G League.

On Dec. 1, the Pistons signed Sirvydis to a three-year contract. Killian Hayes -- 2020 first-round draft pick (No. 7 overall)Isaiah Stewart -- 2020 first-round draft pick (No. 16 overall)Saddiq Bey -- 2020 first-round draft pick (No. Delon Wright -- Acquired in 2020 trade with Oklahoma City Thunder Pistons sent Trevor Ariza to Oklahoma CityNOTE: Saben Lee, the team’s 2020 second-round draft pick (No.

Troy Weaver has made a flurry of trades, draft picks and free agent signings in his first offseason as Detroit Pistons general manager. Nov. 18: Houston draft pick tradeBefore the start of the draft, the Pistons acquired the No. 16 overall pick and guaranteed the return draft pick will either be worse than No. Nov. 18: Sold 2021 second-round pickWeaver sold a second-round pick to the Rockets for $4.6 million. 19 overall pick, Dzanan Musa, Jaylen Hands, Rodney McGruder, Toronto’s 2021 second-round pick, cash considerations8.

DETROIT – New general manager Troy Weaver knew he had to come in and tear down the Detroit Pistons’ roster, and he sure didn’t waste any time. Bruce Brown #6 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 21, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) (2019 Getty Images)While Brown is a fine player, it’s not a major loss for a Pistons team looking multiple years down the line. 16 overall pick and guaranteed the return draft pick will either be worse than No. (2020 Getty Images)Weaver’s second pick was a bit of a surprise, as he went with undersized Washington center Isaiah Stewart.

Weaver traded Luke Kennard to the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night in a three-way deal that landed the Pistons the 19th pick in the draft, a league source confirmed to MLive. Bey averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 45 percent from 3-point range as a sophomore at Villanova. Over two seasons, he averaged 11.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and shot 42 percent from distance in 67 games. The Pistons also acquired 6-4 shooting guard Rodney McGruder in the trade. The 12th pick in the 2017 draft appeared in 164 games with Detroit, averaging 9.8 points and shooting 40 percent from 3-point range.

Portland led by as much as 10 in the first quarter and was up 37-34 at the end of the quarter. They also outshot the Trail Blazers outside the arc hitting 15 of 34 (44.1%) compared to 17 of 43 (39.5%). Trail Blazers: Outscored Los Angeles 46-38 in the paint. HEY YOUThe Trail Blazers had some regional support with Blitz the Seahawk, mascot for the NFLs Seattle Seahawks, sitting in the virtual seats, for the early afternoon game. Trail Blazers: Play Philadelphia on Sunday.