Pistons lose again despite scoring 148 points

Detroit fell to 3-31 on the season after allowing a franchise-record point total to the Utah Jazz. Fresh of the Jazz’s first triple-double in 15 years, Jordan Clarkson had 36 points, 21 of them in the fourth quarter and overtime.

The Pistons set an NBA record by losing their 28th straight game last week. They’re getting better, but still falling short. Two of their last three losses came in overtime. Five of their last seven defeats were by eight points or less.

Once again, Detroit coach Monty Williams’ rotations were suspect. Third-year forward Isaiah Livers played 36 minutes, where the Pistons were outscored by 13 points. Meanwhile, lottery pick Ausar Thompson played only 11 minutes, where he was +6. Last year’s No. 5 pick, Jaden Ivey, played only 22 minutes, in part due to Alec Burks’ 27-point night, including a wild shot to send the game to OT.

It’s one thing that the Pistons keep losing but they’re losing while sitting players that should be the foundation of the next winning Pistons team. They’re doing it with minimal defense. The team had just five steals and three blocks in 53 minutes.

At this point, Ivey and Thompson couldn’t be playing worse defense than the rest of the team. The only thing worse than going 3-31 is relying on veterans to get those few wins.