Pistons’ Free Throw Woes Continue to Undercut Progress in Close Games
Another night, another narrow loss for the Detroit Pistons - this time at the hands of the Utah Jazz. And while there were plenty of moments to dissect, from Cade Cunningham’s standout performance to lineup choices down the stretch, one issue continues to loom large for this young team: free throws.
Detroit missed eight of them in a game they lost by just two points. That’s the story.
The Pistons shot just 65 percent from the line, and the misses weren’t scattered across the end of the bench. Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey - two of Detroit’s key backcourt pieces - combined to miss five. In a game that came down to the final possession, those missed opportunities loomed large.
This isn’t a one-off. It’s a pattern.
The Pistons currently rank near the bottom of the league in free throw percentage - 29th after last night’s loss - despite being one of the most aggressive teams in the NBA when it comes to drawing fouls. They’re fourth in the league in free throw attempts per game, but if you can’t convert at the line, that aggressive playstyle loses its edge.
Crunch Time Concerns
Detroit’s struggles at the stripe aren’t just frustrating - they’re costly. Look around the league, and you’ll find that the teams at the bottom of the free throw percentage rankings are generally also at the bottom of the standings. The Pistons are the exception, and that’s not a good thing.
Late-game execution has been a problem all season. Detroit has blown multiple big leads, and the numbers tell a clear story.
They don’t shoot a high volume of threes, which limits their ability to build or extend leads quickly. Combine that with a poor free throw percentage, and you’ve got a recipe for letting teams hang around - or worse, come back and steal wins.
It’s especially troubling when you look at Detroit’s guards. Cunningham is the only one shooting north of 80 percent from the line - and even then, just barely.
Ivey sits just below that mark, but hasn’t been to the line often enough to make a significant impact. Ausar Thompson has struggled mightily, drawing comparisons to big men known more for rebounding than touch at the stripe.
Duncan Robinson, typically a reliable shooter, is in the midst of a career-low free throw year. Caris LeVert isn’t far behind.
In crunch time, the ball is in the hands of your guards. They’re the ones who get fouled, who need to step up and ice games at the line. Right now, that’s not a strength for Detroit - it’s a liability.
What’s the Fix?
This isn’t necessarily a problem that requires a blockbuster move at the trade deadline. But it is the kind of issue that could be addressed with a targeted addition - a veteran guard with poise, experience, and a reliable free throw stroke. Think Dennis Schroder-type: someone who can handle the ball under pressure and knock down clutch free throws when the game is on the line.
Because while free throw shooting might not dominate headlines, it has a way of deciding games - especially in the postseason. And if the Pistons want to take the next step, they have to clean this up.
Look back at their losses. Count the missed free throws.
It’s not just a stat - it’s a trend. And until it’s addressed, it’s going to keep showing up in the most painful ways.