Beginning a Western Conference swing on Thursday night, the Detroit Pistons proved that they are a resilient bunch with a never-say-die attitude, and that determination helped the team force overtime in a game that Dallas led for most of the way. However, the Pistons went cold in extra time, and the refs blew a key call at the end to give the Mavericks a 116-114 win at the American Airlines Center.

With less than two seconds remaining in overtime, the Pistons trailed by two points and were fighting for a loose rebound. Pistons center Jalen Duren was mugged while grabbing the ball for a put-back, but the officials declined to call a foul on a play that would have made Mike Alstott or Brian Urlacher proud. Duren had multiple Mavs players hanging off of him as he attempted the quick shot, but the whistle never blew on a virtual rugby scrum. The Pistons fell to 21-6 on the season with the loss to a team on the outskirts of the playoff picture in the West. 

Pistons Run Into Trouble Early

In the second quarter, the game began to slowly slip away from the Pistons. After a quick nine-point start, Detroit forward Ausar Thompson picked up a technical foul and was quickly ejected from the game in the immediate aftermath. From there, point guard Cade Cunningham picked up another tech, and it looked as if he was about to join Thompson in the locker room. Cade kept his cool, but Detroit was mired by foul trouble all throughout the quarter as the Mavericks jumped out to a huge lead in free throw attempts. 

The Mavs also jumped out to a big lead on the score sheet, holding a 66-57 advantage at the break.

But the Pistons hammered the offensive boards all game long with a 25-11 edge, and Detroit counted on a high-energy boost from a band of reserves to pull the squad back into the game during the second half. With Daniss Jenkins and Marcus Sasser leading the back court, the Pistons surrounded the backup guards with Ron Holland, Javonte Green and Paul Reed to create a unit that eats, sleeps and breathes turnovers. 

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Right on cue, that unit came in off the bench and made an instant impact with turnovers that sparked the fast break for a number of quick Pistons’ baskets. Isaiah Stewart also spent some time with this group, and the Pistons subbed Cunningham back into the game to form a three-guard lineup at the start of the fourth quarter. Detroit went on a 20-6 lead to open the frame, and the Pistons picked up a four-point lead with just over five minutes remaining. 

Cunningham, who logged 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, helped guide the team through a pressure-filled close to regulation with the Mavs and Pistons trading the lead back and forth. With just under 1:30 left in the game, Cunningham backed down the Mavs’ defender before hitting a mid-range jumper while falling down to give the Pistons a one-point lead. Right after, Stewart launched a powerful rejection down the court that ultimately led to a pair of Jenkins free throws in the clutch.

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In overtime, the Mavericks held a two-point lead as the Pistons scrambled to make up the deficit as time continued to slip away. Cade Cunningham had a great look to take the lead with only seconds remaining, but his shot rattled in and out. After the Detroit miss, Duren battled down low to secure a tough rebound despite a contingent of Dallas arms swinging in his direction. Duren tried to go back up with the ball and looked to be fouled, but the refs did not make a call, and the Mavericks walked away with a two-point win in overtime. 

Duren finished the game with 17 points and 13 rebounds while making a big impact in the post, and Stewart contributed an additional 14 points off the bench in the loss. 

Next up, the Pistons will take on the Charlotte Hornets at home on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 pm.

For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.