DETROIT — After a lackluster third quarter from the Detroit Pistons on Friday, a Daniss Jenkins 52-foot shot from beyond half court changed the tenor of the game.
A packed Little Caesars Arena rose to its feet, as it has several times during this nine-game win streak, and erupted after Jenkins’ long-distance shot banked in. It set the tone for a fourth quarter in which the Pistons (11-2) would dominate the Philadelphia 76ers to win 114-105, notch their longest win streak since the 2007-08 season and improve to 2-0 in NBA Cup play.
Detroit once again found a way, while severely short-handed, to want a win more than its opponent.
Javonte Green (21), Jenkins (19), Duncan Robinson (15), Isaiah Stewart (14), Caris LeVert (14) and Paul Reed (10) all scored in double figures. No Cade Cunningham (hip). No Jaden Ivey (knee). No Ausar Thompson (ankle). No Tobias Harris (ankle). No Jalen Duren (ankle). No Marcus Sasser (hip).
And yet, no excuses.
The Pistons have effectively established an identity. They’re a group of players who have completely embraced the city of Detroit’s blue-collar mentality of winning however it has to. This was the 11th example of the season and the ninth in a row that the Pistons have shown they are akin to their predecessors. It’s no mistake, or surprise anymore, that Detroit has all the tools necessary to beat whoever is in front of it.
“They’ve just got a nastiness to them, and that’s the fun part about our group,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of his team with pride after the game. “They like it when it gets thick. They like it when it gets messy and it gets ugly. That’s where they thrive. We like to take people there, we like to push people’s buttons and see how they respond.
“We’ve just got a bunch of nasty dogs in that locker room, and they love it.”
That’s a fitting characterization of a team willing to outhustle opponents with six players sidelined.
Jenkins, among several others on the Pistons’ roster, embodies the will Bickerstaff described. He also agrees with his coach about the nature of men who suit up for the city of Detroit.
“We’re all nasty dogs, nasty boys, whatever you want to call it,” Jenkins said with a smirk. “That’s us. A bunch of mutts. You don’t want a mutt in your house, do you? Nobody likes mutts. We’re nasty boys, that’s what we are.”
This team has fully embraced what makes it different from the rest of the league. Bickerstaff has set the foundation, dating to last season, for a group of men who want to outwork the opposition. The fiery passion he paces the sideline with is an example of how he wants his team to approach the game, and they recognize it.
“He’s a dog, too,” Stewart said from his locker with a grin he couldn’t contain. “Just having his system and the way he relies on defense and grit … . It fits Detroit basketball.”
This story will be updated.
