Ausar Thompson did not sound rattled after the Detroit Pistons lost Game 3.
He sounded frustrated by the details.
Following Detroit’s 116-109 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night at Rocket Arena, Thompson pointed directly to turnovers, defensive communication and transition pressure as the reasons the Pistons let a chance to take a 3-0 series lead disappear late.
“We just got to be better outlets for Cade and DJ and the ball handlers and not let them get pressured as much,” Thompson said when asked about Cleveland scoring 27 points off turnovers.
The Cavaliers flipped the game in the final three minutes behind Max Strus and James Harden after forcing three straight Detroit turnovers. Cade Cunningham finished with a 27-point triple-double, but he also committed eight turnovers against Cleveland’s late pressure.
Thompson believed the problems started long before the closing possessions.
“I would say there were more defensive issues than offensive,” Thompson said. “In the first half they, I think I saw they were like 24 for 35. I saw that on the big screen. So we just got to be better at that end.”
Cleveland finished the game shooting 58% from the field, repeatedly breaking down Detroit’s defense with isolation attacks and quick actions involving guards slipping screens into open space.
Thompson explained that the Cavaliers adjusted their spacing and forced Detroit into difficult defensive decisions throughout the night.
“They were calling a lot of isos and they were sending their guards into the screens and slipping out and getting open shots,” Thompson said. “So we just have to be better at communicating through those.”
Detroit still nearly stole the game after a strong third-quarter rally erased most of Cleveland’s lead. Thompson said the comeback reflected the identity the Pistons have built all season under J.B. Bickerstaff.
“Just the way we play, not never giving up, always having faith in each other and being in those positions before and just being confident,” Thompson said.
That confidence never disappeared, even after Cleveland regained control late behind Harden’s shot-making and Strus’ momentum-changing steal.
“Nothing shakes our confidence,” Thompson said. “So we have confidence no matter what the turnout of this game was.”
The second-year wing also defended Detroit’s overall defensive personnel despite the breakdowns. Thompson emphasized that the issue was not individual ability but collective execution.
“I have full faith in every one of my teammates and guarding,” Thompson said.
Thompson finished Game 3 with nine points, seven rebounds and five assists while helping defend multiple Cleveland perimeter players during another physical playoff matchup. Detroit also continued dominating the offensive glass with 17 offensive rebounds, but the turnover margin and Cleveland’s efficiency ultimately proved too much to overcome.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 35 points and 10 rebounds, while Harden added 19 points and several clutch baskets late in the fourth quarter.
The loss snapped Detroit’s five-game playoff winning streak, but the Pistons still hold a 2-1 lead entering Game 4 on Monday night in Cleveland.
If Thompson’s postgame comments revealed anything, it was that Detroit views the defeat as correctable rather than crushing.
The Pistons believe their defensive structure, rebounding and confidence remain intact. They just know the margin for error against Cleveland’s stars has become much smaller.
