Terry Foster: Pistons Got Their Signature Moment With Win Over Bucks
By Terry Foster
@TerryFoster971
There is always a signature moment that decides the playoff fate of a team. Perhaps that happened Monday night when the Pistons won a game they had no business winning.
Center Andre Drummond capped a mad cap comeback with a game-winning tip with 2.1 seconds that propelled the Pistons to a 92-91 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks Monday at the Palace. The Pistons trailed by 17 points early and were down by five with 2:36 remaining.
The Bucks shot 53.9 percent from the field and the Pistons 41.2 percent. However, the Pistons snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and celebrated like school boys playing on the playground. It was a wonderful scene and this victory could be the difference between the Pistons playing in the post-season or sitting on the sidelines for a seventh straight season.
"Yeah it was a crazy ending," said guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
You can expect a crazy ending to the regular season as the Pistons battle the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers for one of the final playoff spots. Right now the difference between these teams is razor thin and a Drummond tip could be the difference for the Pistons.
It is time for the Pistons to push themselves in the playoffs even though their run is not likely to last very long. This is a young team that needs playoff experience if it is to put itself into championship position down the road.
Guard Reggie Jackson must learn how to run a team when the pace of games slows down. Center Andre Drummond must learn to focus more when every play counts. And the team must learn how to win even though the opponent might be better.
The Pistons are likely to play the Cleveland Cavaliers or Toronto Raptors if they make the playoffs. Both are seasoned teams that have more playoff experience. I do not expect much from the Pistons because they are not a good defensive team and there is also the issue of Drummond making free throws during crunch time.
Drummond is a wonder physical talent but too often becomes a liability when teams deliberately send him to the line where he has made just 33.3 percent of his free throws.
I keep hearing fans scream for Drummond to practice his free throws. He does. Drummond has this mental block which makes him a nervous wreck at the line.
It will be a tough road for the Pistons if they make the playoffs, but it is like the rest of us. In order for us to become championship caliber people in the work force we need opportunities to sink or swim.
The Pistons need the same thing.
(Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com)