JB Bickerstaff gives an honest breakdown for a narrow win

The Detroit Pistons continue their winning streak with a 99-98 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Although the score ultimately favored the home team at Little Caesars Arena, it was an unconventional path to victory. The Pistons traded momentum during Monday night’s game. Detroit had to endure 27 lead changes and 14 ties en route to its second straight win and a 17-4 record. Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff spoke next what it takes to play without your best execution.

“Sometimes you just have to win the ugly way. I think that speaks to the good teams in this league. Maybe it’s not your night, but can you figure out a way to do it?” Bickerstaff stated during the postgame media session. “It wasn’t our night tonight. We didn’t play our best, but we competed hard enough to give ourselves a chance. We were there in the moment and we had guys make plays for us.”

While Detroit had some impressive results against the Hawks, they struggled in different ways. The Pistons have had a rough time offensively from an efficiency standpoint. They shot poorly at 44% from the field and 19% from 3-point range. Their ball control was a little sloppy, turning it over 22 times and giving up 20 points in return. The Pistons also missed six free throws, including three down the stretch to put the game away in the fourth quarter.

Detroit could rely on its defensive identity to make key stops. They were able to block nine shots and turn down eleven steals to help with the fast break. The battle on the glass also favored the Pistons, as they collected 60 rebounds compared to the Hawks’ 34.

Center Jalen Duren recorded his 12th double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds. All-Star point guard Cade Cunningham he finished the night with 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Cunningham had a quiet scoring game until he knocked down a layup in traffic to extend the Pistons’ lead late in the fourth quarter.

Ron Holland’s signature game

The Pistons can regularly rely on their bench when they need a change, especially from second-year wing Ron Holland. Holland’s defensive play has turned the tide in many games for the Pistons, and it was the case again against the Hawks.

The 20-year-old forward finished the night with 17 points, six rebounds and two steals. However, its impact is greater than out-of-the-box results how he turns on his teammatewith and Little Caesars Arena.

“He’s a full hitter. You know, like a loose ball — five people had the ball in their hands and Ron kind of comes out with it,” Cunningham said after the game. “I mean, he’s young, he’s skinny, but he just finds a way. You know, I could talk about him all day. He’s somebody that everybody wants to play with. We like him on the team, and he should probably get the belt tonight. I don’t know who’s going to get the belt, but I’ll probably tell him.”

Holland gave up a turnover in the third quarter and knocked down a layup with a foul in the third quarter. That play helped energize the arena and the Pistons when they needed it most. The hustle and adaptability of the Netherlands continues reinforce his value to the team.

“I’m very aware of that. Every time my name is called, there’s a saying, ‘Just play, Pat.’ That’s one thing I really listen to, because I don’t have to score a goal to have a good game, I don’t have to do things that show up on the scoreboard to have a good game,” Holland told the media during the postgame session. “I feel like that’s one thing I’ve noticed about myself, that I really have what drives this team to be successful.”