Defensive disruption key factor for Detroit Pistons’ wins and losses
Omari and Bryce break down the Detroit Pistons’ 4-game losing streak and why their defense is the key element to their style of play.
The Detroit Pistons closed a two-game homestead with another blowout.
They defeated a banged-up Memphis Grizzlies team at Little Caesars Arena, 126-110, on Friday, March 13, behind a strong effort by Jalen Duren. The All-Star big overpowered Memphis’ frontcourt and finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds on 12-for-15 overall shooting.
Advertisement
Cade Cunningham had near-triple double with 17 points, 15 assists, eight rebounds and three steals, and Marcus Sasser added 16 points in a 313 Day victory. It was Cunningham’s third game in a row with at least 13 assists. The Pistons led by as many as 22 points and pulled away in the third quarter, extending their lead to 17 with a 16-5 run midway through the period.
SHAWN WINDSOR: Detroit Pistons lost their way, but it’s not for the reason you think
With the win, the Pistons (48-18) extended their lead to five games over the Boston Celtics in the East, with the Celtics idle Friday. The also rounded off thelr Central Division lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers to an even eight games with 16 to play this season.
Next up for the Pistons
The Pistons can also take a step toward clinching a playoff spot, as they head to Toronto to face the East’s 7-seed, the Toronto Raptors, on Sunday (3:30 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Detroit). The Pistons enter Saturday with an 11½-game lead on the Raps; a win would put them 12½ up with 15 to play.
Advertisement
Medical roll call
Caris LeVert (left wrist sprain) returned for the Pistons following a three-game absence. They were without Ausar Thompson (right ankle sprain) for the fifth straight game. Tobias Harris (left hip soreness) also missed the game.
More than half of the Grizzlies’ rotation was out for the game, including star guard Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke, Scotty Pippen Jr. and GG Jackson.
Duncan Robinson, Kevin Huerter spark offense in second quarter
Injuries have opened the door for coach J.B. Bickerstaff to experiment with lineups through recent weeks. One combination he wants to see more of: Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter, two of the Pistons’ most respected shooters. He liked what he saw from the duo against the San Antonio Spurs last week; injuries to Thompson and LeVert have opened more minutes for Huerter, who initially was out of their rotation after arriving at the trade deadline.
Huerter checked in for Robinson with four minutes left in the first quarter, and Robinson checked back in to join Huerter at the 8:44 mark of the second. The Pistons turned a five-point deficit into a five-point lead by the time Huerter checked out again with 5:49 to play until halftime.
Advertisement
The two players led the run, with Huerter knocking down a 3 before Robinson found Isaiah Stewart in transition with a lob, followed by a 3-pointer from Robinson that gave the Pistons the lead for good, 46-44. Huerter made his first three shots, including a pair of 3-pointers, and played at least 20 minutes for the fourth game in a row.
Marcus Sasser has best outing as a starter
Bickerstaff has stuck with Sasser in the starting lineup for five consecutive games since Thompson’s injury. The third-year guard needed a few games to find a groove, shooting 3-for-12 during his first two starts. Friday was one of his best outings of the season, with his 16 points his highest total since scoring 18 on Jan. 1 against the Miami Heat.
Sasser is one of the better shooters on the team and provides a different element to the starting lineup, compared to Thompson. Friday marked his second time in three games knocking down four 3-pointers, and he repeatedly punished the Grizzlies for leaving him alone in the left corner.
Advertisement
He helped the Pistons shut the door in the second half, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers to keep the Pistons in control after Memphis cut it to three, 75-72, with just under nine minutes left in the third. His fourth 3-pointer of the night midway through the period extended a 16-5 Pistons run and gave them their biggest lead up to that point, 94-77.
[ MUST WATCH: Make “The Pistons Pulse” your go-to Pistons podcast, listen available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or watch live on YouTube. ]
Some of the city’s top music stars will headline the new Hart of Detroit Summer Festival set for June 19 at Hart Plaza.
The riverside party is 12 hours of hip-hop music, DJs, gospel karaoke, food trucks and a chance to shop small businesses. Headliners include Detroit rappers Kash Doll, Babytron, Icewear Vezzo, Trick Trick, Bruiser Wolf, Babyfxce E, 1UpTee and more, plus New Jersey’s Fetty Wap and Atlanta’s Boldy James.
The concerts will start at 5 p.m. and span two stages.
“Expected to draw attendees from across the Midwest, the festival blends music, culture, entrepreneurship and community into one of Detroit’s defining summer experiences,” reads a press release announcing the event.
Advertisement
The festival runs from noon to midnight. General admission tickets start at $75.63 with VIP access ranging $139.49-$239.40.
Tickets and a full schedule can be found at 313summer.com.
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
More: 50 killer summer concerts! Jack White, Foo Fighters, Usher and 47 more
Advertisement
More: Cardi B brings the hits and a little drama to Little Caesars Arena
4Warn Weather – After multiple rounds of severe weather to start the week, southeast Michigan is finally getting a break from the storms.
The break comes after powerful winds, hail, downed trees, and scattered power outages once again swept across the region Tuesday afternoon and evening.
The latest round developed in hot, humid air as temperatures surged into the mid- and upper-80s Tuesday, helping fuel another active severe weather day across Metro Detroit and much of Southeast Michigan.
While hail was reported, damaging straight-line winds were the primary threat as storms raced eastward.
Advertisement
The severe weather came just one day after violent storms on Monday afternoon and evening, leaving many residents already cleaning up debris and dealing with outages before Tuesday’s storms arrived.
Numerous storm reports were received on Tuesday across Southeast Michigan.
In Oakland County, several trees were snapped at Kensington Metropark near New Hudson around 2:30 p.m.
Additional reports described large trees and limbs blocking roads near White Lake and Keego Harbor, including damage to a camper from a falling limb.
Farther east, emergency managers reported trees and power lines down across portions of Macomb County, including near Washington Township and Stony Creek Metropark.
Advertisement
Wind gusts approached or exceeded severe limits in several areas. Detroit City Airport recorded a 54 mph gust, Monroe’s Custer Airport measured a 59 mph gust, and the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club along Lake St. Clair measured a powerful 76 mph marine thunderstorm wind gust shortly before 5 p.m.
Hail was also reported in Wayne County, including dime- to quarter-sized hail in Northwest Detroit.
Even late Tuesday night, drivers should remain alert for lingering hazards.
Some roads may still have ponding after downpours, especially in low-lying areas.
Utility crews also continue working to clear downed branches and restore power in spots hit by the strongest winds.
Advertisement
Drivers are urged to use caution overnight and avoid any downed power lines or barricaded streets.
The good news is that a dramatic pattern change is now underway.
After highs climbed well into the 80s on Tuesday, much cooler air is spilling into the Great Lakes behind a strong cold front.
High temperatures on Wednesday will struggle to reach the mid-60s across Metro Detroit, several degrees below the seasonal average of around 70 degrees for this time of year.
Wednesday
High temperatures Wednesday will struggle to reach the mid-60s across Metro Detroit, several degrees below the seasonal average of around 70 degrees for this time of year. (WDIV)
Wednesday will feel noticeably different from the summerlike heat earlier this week. North to northeast winds and cooler air off the lakes will keep conditions crisp through the day, with some communities near Lake Huron staying in the 50s.
Advertisement
For Tigers fans heading to Comerica Park on Wednesday evening as Detroit hosts the Cleveland Guardians for a 6:40 p.m. first pitch, weather conditions look much quieter.
Temperatures will likely fall through the upper 50s during the game with a light breeze and dry conditions.
Fans may want to bring a light jacket or hoodie after the sharp drop from Tuesday’s heat.
The cooler pattern continues through the rest of the work week with highs mainly in the 60s on Thursday and Friday.
Memorial Day Weekend
The forecast for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend remains a mixed bag.
Advertisement
Rain chances return Friday afternoon and continue at times Friday night into Saturday as another system moves into the Great Lakes.
A few showers could linger into parts of Sunday, meaning portions of the holiday weekend may be wet at times.
Despite the rain chances, temperatures will rebound into the 70s over the weekend with Memorial Day itself currently looking mainly dry and comfortable.
Monday is expected to feature partly sunny to mostly cloudy skies with highs in the upper 70s, which is favorable weather for parades, cookouts, and outdoor ceremonies.
After damaging winds and cleanup efforts across Southeast Michigan, many residents will likely welcome the cooler and quieter stretch ahead.
Advertisement
If you have storm or damage photos, share them with Local 4 at MIPics.
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
A police chase that began in Southfield ended in a fiery crash in Detroit early Tuesday morning. (WDIV)
DETROIT – A police chase that began in Southfield ended in a fiery crash in Detroit early Tuesday morning.
The chase began on May 19, just after 3 a.m., when Southfield police responded to a reported car theft in progress. When they arrived, they found three suspects who immediately left the scene — one running and two in a car driving away.
The suspect who ran off was arrested and released to a guardian, police said.
Advertisement
Police saw the car traveling south on the Lodge Freeway near Evergreen Road. Officers began chasing after the suspect, which continued into Detroit. The car was seen exiting the Lodge at Grand River Avenue before crashing on Southfield Service Drive.
Shortly after the crash, the car caught fire. Both people in the car were safely pulled out and were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries. They were later taken to the Southfield Detention Center.
Details on the suspects were not released.
Previous coverage
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
Advertisement
About the Authors
Samantha Sayles headshot
Samantha Sayles
Samantha Sayles is an Oakland University alumna who’s been writing Michigan news since 2022. Before joining the ClickOnDetroit team, she wrote stories for WILX in Lansing and WEYI in Flint.
Shawnte Passmore headshot
Shawnte Passmore
Shawnte Passmore joined WDIV in August 2024 after working at KOVR in Sacramento, California, WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut and KMTV in Omaha, Nebraska.