After a frustrating 112-103 loss to the Cavs, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff called out the ‘unacceptable’ free throw disparity; Yankee Scores reports. 

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff lamented the free throw disparity after losing Game 4 against the Cavaliers.”

The Great Free Throw Disparity

Detroit Pistons were awarded 12 free-throw shots while their opponents had 34 attempts in a loss by the margin of 112-103 in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Donovan Mitchell scored an astounding 43 points and received 15 free throw shots compared to Detroit’s 12 shots combined.

“It’s unacceptable. It is,” Bickerstaff said. “We didn’t do enough obviously to help ourselves, and I’ll start there.

But ever since we came to Cleveland, the whistle has changed. There’s no way that one guy on their team shoots more free throws than our team. We’re not a settle team. We’re not a jump shooting team. We drive the ball, attack the paint.

“So, what was done out there tonight, it’s frustrating, but we can’t allow that to be the reason why, because we didn’t play well enough and play to the best of our capabilities.

The “Atkinson Effect”?

“But again, you look at the foul count, you look at the disparity, and that’s hard to overcome, and you wonder the reason why. It’s interesting since [Cavaliers coach] Kenny [Atkinson] made his comments publicly about us, the whistles changed in this series.”

In the first two games of the playoff series, Pistons had 55 free throws,” says Atkinson, “both wins played at their home arena.” In the remaining two games, Detroit is awarded 34 free throws, whereas in their two earlier matches, the Cavaliers have been given 43 free throws.

In anticipation of Game 3, Atkinson mentioned before the game that the Pistons’ physicality caused Cavaliers to make 30 turnovers in Games 1 and 2.

“I give them a lot of credit. It’s completely within how the game’s being called today,” Atkinson said. “So we have to find a way to, if it’s [a] clutch and grab and hold game and there’s not a lot of freedom of movement, we have to find a way to get separation. If they’re going to chuck and swipe, you’ve got to be able to protect the ball.”

Player Frustration: Cunningham Speaks Out

“We played two different games tonight, but it is what it is,” said Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, who scored 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting and had a game-high five turnovers. “I realized early on it was going to be one of those types of nights. I got hit on my arm early. I didn’t get a whistle. Everybody didn’t want to look at me after that. I kind of knew what it was.

“So just playing the game, we can’t allow it to get to us. That’s part of the game. The home team, you never know how it’s going to be. It’s going to be hard when you’re on the road. So just controlling our emotions, controlling what we control and playing the best brand of basketball we can play. That’s not why we lost the game, but I mean, I don’t know what was it? Twenty free throw disparity or something like that. I mean, it definitely doesn’t help.”

The 24-0 Momentum Killer

Pistons held a lead of 56-52 in the first half but were subsequently beaten in a 24-0 run, scoring all 22 points during the second half. This was the longest run in a playoff game during the play-by-play era (since 1997-98).