Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff addressed the officiating following Monday night’s 114-110 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. “It’s consistent with what it’s been. You know, we’re not going to sit here and beg people to do the right thing. Our guys competed their tails off tonight,” Bickerstaff said.
Bickerstaff highlighted the challenges of guarding Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “I mean he’s elite at what he does. And you got to give him a ton of credit for his skill set and his ability, you know, to create those contacts and create those whistles. You know, there are rules for a reason and he’s mastered to manipulate them. So that’s a talent. That’s a skill that he’s been blessed with.”
The coach acknowledged the difficulty of overcoming free-throw disparities. “We play a physical brand of basketball, so we expect some things. But we also expect things to be done properly as well… 25 free throws. You know we shot 23. That’s hard to overcome.”
Despite the loss, Bickerstaff praised his team’s performance. “Oh our guys were unbelievable tonight. To go out there and compete the way that they did, to overcome so much adversity and put themselves in position, you know, to make a play. And, you know, against this team in this arena. I thought our guys were unbelievable tonight.”
Paul Reed’s contributions drew specific recognition. “Whenever his number is called he’s been ready to help us. And he helps us in so many different ways. His effort is always outstanding. His willingness to do the dirty things is always outstanding. You know, he is working and has become a better facilitator. We put the ball in his hands. We trust him to make the right decisions so that we can create more of that motion that we’re looking for, and he does a good job making the reads from there.”
Bickerstaff addressed late-game officiating moments, including a push-off call in the final seconds of regulation. “Four seconds left in regulation. I mean, it’s the right call, you know? So he made the right call… Listen, man, we played a hell of a game tonight, okay? And I’m not going to let you know the officiating take away from what our guys did tonight. Our guys played a hell of a game, and they deserve a lot of credit for the way that they went out.”
Detroit played without four of its five regular starters, including Cade Cunningham, All-Star Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, and Duncan Robinson. Isaiah Stewart also missed the game with a left calf strain. Despite these absences, the Pistons hung close, with Paul Reed posting 21 points and 10 rebounds, Javonte Green adding 19 points, and Kevin Huerter contributing 17.
The Thunder, led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 47 points, became the first team this season to reach 60 wins. Oklahoma City secured the victory in overtime after Gilgeous-Alexander scored eight of the team’s 13 points in the extra period, overcoming a late push from Detroit.
Detroit will host the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, while Oklahoma City prepares to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
