DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – Winning just 17 games, the Detroit Piston ended their 2022-23 season with a 103-81 loss to Chicago. Shortly after the game, it was announced the head coach Dwane Casey had stepped down to take a job within the franchise’s front office.
“When you bring in a young team, this league is not very forgiving in terms of wins and losses. I knew that coming in,” said Casey. “Tom is giving me an opportunity to move into the front office. I’m excited to go to the next phase of my life. Time to spend more time with my family. This team is on the right track. They probably need hear a new voice. This is my decision.”
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Casey coached the Pistons for five seasons going 121-263 (.315) making the playoffs once in the 2018-19 being swept in the first round. He came to Detroit after seven seasons with Toronto where he went 320-238 (.573) with six playoff appearances and the 2017-18 Coach of the Year award.
The Pistons season didn’t go the way Casey wanted it with the young team and many injuries. Four players finished the season in the injury list that were big contributors to the team.
Killian Hayes led the team vs. Chicago with 26 points and eight rebounds. Jaden Ivey added 16 points while James Wiseman had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Jalen Duren posted 18 rebounds.
It was a close game after the first quarter with Detroit trailing, 26-25. In the second half, they were down by as many as 12 points but cut the lead to one, 45-44, at 2:26 won a Hayes technical free throw. Ivey then hit a shot with 1.1 seconds left to pull within three at the half, 49-46. By the end of the third quarter, it was still a three-point game, 67-64, as Hayes had a jumper with 7.1 seconds left to be within one, 65-64, before Chicago made a shot with one second left.
It was the fourth quarter where Detroit couldn’t keep up with Chicago being outscored, 36-17, as they fell to the Bulls by 22 points.
Detroit will now have a very good chance at receiving the number one pick in the NBA Draft through the lottery.
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