Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff didn’t hold back after Thursday’s 116-114 overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks, criticizing the referee as a factor in the loss.
“A referee makes a comment to me night after night … it tells me the referee is not coming into the game objectively,” Bickerstaff said.
Bickerstaff described his frustrations with his technical foul at halftime. “I’m going to grab Cade to get Cade off the floor, he’s giving me a technical foul… My job is to get my player away from the referee, get us back to halftime,” he explained.
The coach also talked about sending off Ausar Thompson. “The same referee… steps forward [AT]that’s where minimal contact happens…if you look at the stretch where he ejects, he initiates it,” Bickerstaff said.
Despite the concerns, Bickerstaff praised his team’s commitment and depth. “We came up a little short tonight… but it just speaks to the character, speaks to the depth… the guys being prepared and ready to go,” he said, highlighting the Pistons’ competitive mentality.
Bickerstaff described the challenge of managing emotions in a heated game. “Let’s first say that… this game is not about the referees… it was two teams competing for high-level basketball,” he said, emphasizing fairness.
He also questioned the handling of a crucial final play. “JD got the offensive board, I called a timeout…that same referee standing next to me doesn’t call me a timeout,” Bickerstaff noted.
Detroit had chances to overcome the Mavericks’ comeback, but fell short despite Cade Cunningham’s triple-double of 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and Jalen Duren’s 17 points and 13 rebounds. Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 23 points and 10 rebounds, including a crucial alley-oop against Anthony Davis in overtime.
Bickerstaff concluded by urging the league to review the refereeing. “All we’re asking for is fairness. If you come into the match with something you already have in mind, then you obviously influence the way you conduct the match. Our boys deserve better than that,” he said.
Detroit, now 21-6, will host the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, while Dallas improves to 11-17 and heads to the Philadelphia 76ers.
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