Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff highlighted his team’s composure in a narrow 109-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Tuesday night.
“Understanding of win. I thought guys made the right plays at the right time,” Bickerstaff said, noting the challenge of containing Jamal Murray and Peyton Watson, who combined for 13 of 38 shots.
He praised Detroit’s depth and defensive approach. “We can throw multiple bodies at people, stay fresh and wear other people down. When our guys are picking up guys full court, somebody goes out, another guy comes in and does the same thing,” Bickerstaff explained.
The coach emphasized the importance of physicality and teamwork. “We play with that physicality. Some fouls we live with, but we can wear people out if we continue to throw waves at people… it’s never a one-on-one scenario,” he said.
Reflecting on the team’s growth, Bickerstaff noted, “It’s growth, it’s maturity, and it’s experience. What we went through last year gave us the belief and confidence that we could, and that’s the hardest thing in this league to do.”
The Pistons’ game plan focused on disrupting key Nuggets players. “Make it as difficult on them as we possibly could, limit their touches, try to keep them off their sweet spots. The guys did a great job executing the game plan,” he said, referencing the team’s defensive discipline after early third-quarter fouls.
Bickerstaff also celebrated Tobias Harris’ performance in his 1,000th career game. “It was an awesome celebration of a huge milestone for him… to hit the shots that he hit tonight when they were needed most is just a compliment to him, his game, and how he’s been able to survive,” he said.
Detroit’s offense was led by Harris and Cade Cunningham, who each scored 22 points, with Cunningham adding 11 assists. Harris’ two clutch free throws in the final seconds sealed the win after Murray missed two critical attempts for Denver.
The Nuggets were short-handed, with Aaron Gordon sidelined, Nikola Jokic and Cameron Johnson rehabbing injuries, and Jonas Valanciunas returning from a calf strain to post 16 points and 16 rebounds. Denver rallied late, closing to 107-104 before Detroit held on.
Both teams play Thursday night, with the Pistons visiting Phoenix and the Nuggets hosting the Brooklyn Nets.
