The Detroit Pistons have given up

Exactly two weeks ago, the Detroit Pistons beat the Cavaliers in a bit of a statement game. We all remember the Pistons playing Cleveland tough in a playoff sweep last April — it was the closest sweep imaginable, for whatever that’s worth. And here the Pistons had actually beaten the Cavaliers as they chased one of the last three playoff spots in the East.

Now the Pistons have lost five of six, and they look absolutely moribund in the process. Their latest horror is a 22-point loss in Chicago that essentially conceded the tiebreaker to the Bulls. The teams are now tied for No. 9, two behind Miami in the loss column. Chicago earned a split of the season series on Wednesday and has a better divisional record. This came one night after the Pistons let the feckless Brooklyn Nets beat them by a bucket.

The effort is clearly lacking at this point, which is mighty unfortunate since Stan Van Gundy is going precisely nowhere. There’s some sort of toxic mix in Detroit that is leading to bad chemistry. Expect an overhaul of the roster this summer. Reggie Jackson is a prime candidate to move, but Andre Drummond might end up elsewhere, too.

CHA 109, ORL 102
IND 100, BOS 109
DET 95, CHI 117
PHI 97, OKC 122
ATL 100, WAS 104
CLE 113, DEN 126
MIL 116, SAC 98
NYK 101, UTA 108

Ho hum. Russell Westbrook got a triple-double without missing a single shot (field goal or free throw) for the first time in NBA history.

Tom Haberstroh has a big feature arguing that the improved records of road teams in recent years can partially be attributed to less partying. One GM cites Tinder’s impact on reducing time in the club.

The Wizards shot 1 for 2 in Celebrating A Teammate’s Three Before It Left Their Hands on Wednesday.

Harry Lyles Jr. talked to Vince Carter about the secrets of his longevity.

Shockingly, Serge Ibaka and Robin Lopez each only received a one-game suspension for their shadowboxing showdown the other night. David Stern is going to appeal this to add four more games each.

It sounds like Kevin Durant should be back before the playoffs begin.

Zito Madu on the DNP-Rest debate’s central paradox: The league needs players healthy, but doesn’t want them to rest to preserve their health.

A deep remembrance of Jerry Krause from Kelly Dwyer.

Your nightly “Did Tommy Heinsohn Really Just Say That?”

Chris Paul gets more steals than anyone. In related news, his fingers are all mangled.

Kentucky and UCLA face off in the Sweet 16 on Friday. NBA scouts are going to be paying very close attention to Lonzo Ball vs. De’Aaron Fox.

Speaking of the Sweet 16, here’s a case for each team still alive from Alex Kirshner.

Viral video mavens John Stockton and Bryon Russell recreate The Shot.

Ivan Rabb is unsurprisingly making the jump to the NBA. Good read on him from Marc Spears.

Knee surgery for Joel Embiid.