AUSTIN, Texas -- J.B. Bickerstaff displayed his expressive coaching style in the Detroit Pistons' 125-110 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday.
Throughout the first half, Bickerstaff's intensity was palpable when he had multiple discussions with lead official Jacyn Goble about what Bickerstaff felt were missed calls. But when the Pistons (30-26) got to the locker room after giving up 35 second-quarter points, Bickerstaff knew it was unnecessary to muster the same passion he did for the officials when addressing his team during the break.
"With this group, it's just straight to the point," Bickerstaff said postgame. "They don't need a lot of rah-rah and hooting and hollering. They know who they are, and they know what they have to do to be their best. So, the film at halftime just showed us not doing the things that we were called upon to do in that second quarter. They saw it; they were able to recognize it and correct it."
Bickerstaff's message was received and Detroit limited San Antonio to 18 third-quarter points. The Pistons forced six Spurs turnovers, converting them into 11 of their 38 points in the frame. The Spurs' six third-quarter miscues were more than their five made field goals on 15 attempts and three times the number of 3-pointers they knocked down. Detroit forced either missed shots or turnovers on each of San Antonio's first seven possessions to start the second half. The Pistons' defense continued to pester the Spurs, allowing one field goal through the final 5:59 in the third quarter.
Detroit's four steals during the third came from four different players. Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart each added a block. The variance in defensive contributions can be drawn directly back to the cohesion this team has developed. Each win and loss this season has brought this team together to become what it currently is on the defensive end.
"We're just growing as a team," Duren said after the win. "The chemistry is there. We all like each other; we all hang out outside of basketball. ... We're honestly like a group. We care about each other. And that comes into play in situations where it might be a point in the game where the other team goes on a run. It might get a little sloppy, but we're able to talk to each other.
"We let each other know what we see without it being a back and forth or anyone getting in their feelings. We're able to correct each other."
This accountability has led to five straight Detroit wins by double digits dating back to its 125-112 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 7. The Pistons are beating their opponents by an average of 19.2 points over this five-game stretch. Duren credited Bickerstaff with crafting this new culture.
"Hell of a coach, man," Duren said of Bickerstaff. "He puts in situations to be successful. He's a guy who I feel like can relate to players. He's a great emotional leader, too."
The 6-foot-10, 250-pound center is a prime example of the growth Bickerstaff has fostered in his brief time with the organization. Duren finished with 21 points, a game-high 15 rebounds, five assists and was a plus-21. Cade Cunningham led the team with 25 points and Tobias Harris added 22.
Cunningham chipped in 12 assists, shot 10 of 15 from the field and 2 of 5 from 3-point range. Harris grabbed seven rebounds and shot 8 of 10 from the field and 2 of 3 from beyond the arc. Malik Beasley rounded out the Pistons' double-figure scorers with 16 points and connected on four of his seven 3-point attempts.
While San Antonio was without its franchise player in Victor Wembanyama, these are the types of wins Detroit will need to string together throughout its final 26 games. After Friday's game, the Pistons remain the East's sixth seed -- a playoff spot -- three games ahead of the Orlando Magic.
Bickerstaff is leaving no room for complacency.
"It's something we've talked about at the beginning of the year, and we'll keep talking about it," Bickerstaff said. "We're not a finished product. It's on us as coaches, them as players, to continue to develop and get better. And understand what's best for this group, and how everybody's individual strengths fit within this group.
"What you're seeing is a group of guys that are coming together, that believe in one another, that trust one another. And they want to get better because they know it's the most important thing for the group."
The Pistons' next opportunity to build on this post-All-Star break momentum comes Sunday in Atlanta against the Hawks. It will be the first night of a back-to-back with the LA Clippers waiting in Detroit for a Monday night matchup. Five of Detroit's next 10 games come against teams currently above .500, which means third quarters such as Friday will need to be replicated more often if they want to continue this win streak.