DETROIT — Slow starts have been a significant issue for the Pistons through the first five games. They have yet to win a first quarter and have consistently ranked near the bottom in every statistical category.

The Pistons rank 30th in points per game (25.6) and field goal percentage (36.8%) in the first quarter heading into Saturday’s interconference match against the Dallas Mavericks in Mexico City. Detroit also ranks 27th in points allowed in the first quarter, giving up an average of 34 points.

From the coaching staff to the players, everyone has emphasized the importance of solving their first-quarter woes, but no one can pinpoint the logic behind the team’s subpar starts.

“There are a lot of things we can point out, but we just have to self-reflect and see what is going on. Eliminate the problem and go out there and try to (solve) it,” forward Ron Holland II said.

The slow starts have forced the Pistons to rely on their resilience to claw back into the game. Playing catch-up has led to a 3-2 start to the season.

While Cade Cunningham’s second-half average of 14.2 points on 44.2% shooting has been a central figure in Detroit’s comeback efforts, nothing has been more essential to the Pistons’ rally success than the production from the bench.

“If there is a slow start, the bench mob, we can get into the game and bring the energy. That is what we are here for,” Holland said. “As a bench mob member, we are all waiting for our names to be called. Once we get out there, we are like, ‘Let’s do it, we are here now,’ no matter how the game is going. If the first five get off to a great start, we want to keep it going. If they get off to a slow start, we want to lift them so we can get a run going.”

The Pistons’ bench has been one of the most productive in the league. Detroit’s reserve unit ranks 10th in scoring league-wide, averaging 40.2 points per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. On defense, they have held opponents to an average of 43.4 points per game.

While averaging 11.6 points, Holland has taken the helm as the unit’s leading scorer. Still, the Pistons’ bench production has been a collective effort, with Javonte Green and Isaiah Stewart displaying their two-way talents and leading the Pistons in 3-point field goal percentage at 41.7% and 58.3%, respectively.

Having a greater offensive responsibility has not hindered Stewart’s role as Detroit’s defensive anchor. He is in a four-way tie league-wide for the most rejections as a reserve, averaging two blocks per game.

“Those guys are dependable. They’re pros. They work their tails off, and they just make sure that they keep themselves in position to be ready when their numbers are called,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “They’re competitive, they’re team-first guys. They’ve given us a spark, and they’ve changed the game for us when they’ve come in with that energy and tried to propel our starters.”

In each of their three victories, the Pistons have had several players come off the bench and play essential roles. Paul Reed was critical in last week’s 115-111 victory over the Houston Rockets, recording 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocks after the losses of Jalen Duren (ejection) and Stewart (foul trouble).

Reed wasn’t the only reserve to step up for the Pistons in that game. Late in the fourth quarter, two-way guard Daniss Jenkins hit a 3-pointer that gave Detroit a 101-99 lead, as the Pistons’ second unit outscored the Rockets’ bench 43-25.

The Pistons’ bench received an additional boost in Wednesday’s 135-116 victory over the Orlando Magic with Caris LeVert’s return. After missing the last three games due to hamstring tightness, LeVert’s energy and intensity on both ends complemented the second unit.

“We have to start games better, that has been a point of emphasis for us,” LeVert said. “We know once we get back into the game, it’s in our hands. It is tough when you are playing from behind.”

A strong bench unit is crucial for the Pistons to achieve their ambitious goals and expectations, as it can significantly enhance the team’s overall performance.

However, Detroit must find a way to address a troubling trend just nine days into the season. If the Pistons continue to risk slow starts in games, their comeback efforts could eventually lead to disaster.

“I don’t like them (slow starts),” Cunningham said. “I want to start fast. I want to start playing well.”

HOUSTON — New Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson doesn’t know all the details surrounding the federal investigations of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups. The arrest also included former NBA player Damon Jones.

But he does know that Rozier is a friend, and he was “sad” to see his former Heat teammate arrested on Thursday. Rozier and Billups, a former Pistons great, were among the more than 30 people charged with participating in criminal cases alleging sprawling separate schemes to rig sports bets and poker games involving Mafia families, according to federal authorities. Rozier and Robinson played together for two seasons in Miami.

“It’s hard to see, like, omnipresent, the betting stuff is for all of us,” Robinson told The Detroit News on Friday. “Obviously, recently we’ve seen the other side of that. Terry’s a friend, Terry’s a former teammate of mine. That’s tough to see, you know. I don’t know exactly all the details of what happened, but just from, like, a human standpoint, I feel for him, and I was sad to see that.”

The accusations have cast a massive cloud over the NBA and sparked widespread reaction. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he has had multiple discussions with his players. While this is an NBA requirement, Bickerstaff has conducted several additional conversations beyond that.

“We just understand how difficult it is for these guys now, the amount of pressure that’s on them, but how careful you have to be,” Bickerstaff said. “Any information that can be spread that’s not available to everybody else, who should you share that information with. Having to have hard conversations with your family, because it could be an innocent thing.

“We have seen now what those things can turn into and how they can spread and just how valuable this information is. It is a difficult situation overall. But once you introduce gambling the way the sports world has now, there are going to be some dangerous situations for everybody. We all need to do a better job of protecting one another.”

The NBA has encountered multiple challenges related to gambling recently. In April 2024, Jontay Porter was issued a lifetime ban after the league’s investigation.

A year later, former Pistons guard Malik Beasley became the subject of a federal gambling investigation, which led Detroit to withdraw its three-year, $42 million offer in June. Although he has been cleared by the NBA, he remains a subject of interest to the FBI.

“It’s a tough situation that you don’t like to see,” Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “We have a meeting coming up to talk about it to reiterate that point. Don’t know a ton of information on the specifics of those instances, but something you obviously know about players, coaches, and everybody involved, and something you have to stay away from.”

What can we expect from the Pistons this season? Coty M. Davis of The Detroit News provides a player-by-player analysis leading into the start of training camp. Next in the series: Jalen Duren

Last season

Jalen Duren left Wells Fargo Center celebrating a team win. The Detroit Pistons avoided a 0-5 start to the 2024-25 season with a 105-95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 30. But through the celebration, Duren felt frustration on an individual level.

Duren had fouled out. He played 10 scoreless minutes against Philadelphia. After picking up his sixth personal foul early in the fourth quarter, Duren had a dejected expression on his face while walking back to the team bench.

Duren’s poor performance against the 76ers was indicative of the subpar start he had to the year. During the first quarter of the season, Duren struggled to adjust to J.B. Bickerstaff’s coaching philosophies. At times, his hardships led fans to want Isaiah Stewart to take over as the Pistons’ starting center.

Bickerstaff continued to have confidence in Duren despite his struggles. During the second half of the season, Duren was one of the most productive centers in the league. With 28 double-doubles, he averaged 14.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks through the final 41 games of the regular season.

Duren reached his peak during the Pistons’ 117-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors on April 4. In that game, he led the short-handed Pistons with 21 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, four blocks and a steal. The game showed a glimpse of Duren’s full potential.

In the first 41 games, he averaged 10.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks.

2025-26 outlook

If Duren can continue his momentum from last season, the 2025-26 campaign could be a breakout year, potentially leading to an All-Star selection come February. Only Ivica Zubac (34) and Nikola Jokić (31) recorded more double-doubles at center than Duren during the final 41 games of the regular season. He also ranked eighth at his position in rebounding.

Duren possesses all the necessary tools to continue establishing himself as one of the league’s best big men. There is still room for Duren to improve defensively. However, he can further distinguish himself from his peers at the position by the Pistons utilizing his playmaking attributes more.

His ability to keep the Pistons’ offense flowing with his passing became one of the central features that helped Detroit become the first team in league history to triple its win total. Duren had 15 games of five or more assists.

In February, during the Pistons’ impressive eight-game winning streak, Duren averaged 4.8 assists. A standout performance to showcase his playmaking skills as a big man occurred in Detroit’s 125-112 victory over the 76ers on Feb. 7, when he recorded a career-high seven assists.

An ascension to All-Star status is crucial for the Pistons’ success next season. It would also be an ideal way for Duren to secure his place with the franchise, as he will be a restricted free agent after this season if he is not extended.

“J.D. is an all-around talent,” Bickerstaff says. “I think it’s one of those things that goes unsaid about him is his ability to pass the ball and play-make. We’ve seen him in situations push the ball the length of the court and make the right read, whether it’s a pass or a finish. We’ve seen him hit cutters and tight spaces. He’s a very good all-around basketball player.”