It was either stealthy tanking or bad basketball.
Maybe both.
The Detroit Pistons led the Cleveland Cavaliers by 10 points late on Monday at Little Caesars Arena. After knocking off the Boston Celtics in the last game before the NBA All-Star break, it looked like the Pistons were on their way to another win over a playoff team.
And then it all went south.
The offense stalled as Cleveland roared back as Lauri Markkenan’s free throw with a minute to go gave them a 1-point lead. Somehow, the Pistons got themselves together as Cade Cunningham hit three free throws in the final minute to give Detroit a 106-103 win.