J.B. Bickerstaff criticized the referees for a significant disparity in free throw attempts following the Pistons' Game 4 loss. The comments highlight ongoing frustrations regarding officiating in the playoffs.
Key points
J.B. Bickerstaff criticized referees
Significant free throw attempt gap
Pistons lost Game 4
Game 4 played on May 11, 2026
Mentioned in this story
J.B. Bickerstaff
Detroit Pistons
J.B. Bickerstaff flames refs for free throw gap after Pistons' Game 4 loss
Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) talks to assistant coach Kevin Burleson during warmup ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) looks on during warmup ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Detroit Pistons guard Javonte Green (31) warms up ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Detroit Pistons guard Kevin Huerter (27) warms up ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Q&A
What did J.B. Bickerstaff say about the referees after the Pistons' Game 4 loss?
J.B. Bickerstaff criticized the referees for a large gap in free throw attempts during the game.
How did the free throw attempts compare between the Pistons and their opponents in Game 4?
The article highlights a significant disparity in free throw attempts between the Pistons and their opponents.
What was the outcome of the Pistons' Game 4 in the NBA playoffs?
The Pistons lost Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.
When did the Pistons play Game 4 of the NBA playoffs?
Game 4 was played on May 11, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (5) warms up ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9), right, talks to assistant coach Kevin Burleson, center, as guard Daniss Jenkins (24), left, warms up ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Cleveland Cavaliers hosts Detroit Pistons for Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson (55) warms up ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Detroit Pistons guard Kevin Huerter (27) warms up ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
1 / 9
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Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) talks to assistant coach Kevin Burleson during warmup ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
1 / 9
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-1 lead over Cavaliers in NBA playoffs
Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) talks to assistant coach Kevin Burleson during warmup ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
2 / 9
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-1 lead over Cavaliers in NBA playoffs
Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) looks on during warmup ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
3 / 9
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-1 lead over Cavaliers in NBA playoffs
Detroit Pistons guard Javonte Green (31) warms up ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
4 / 9
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Detroit Pistons guard Kevin Huerter (27) warms up ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
5 / 9
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Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (5) warms up ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
6 / 9
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-1 lead over Cavaliers in NBA playoffs
Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9), right, talks to assistant coach Kevin Burleson, center, as guard Daniss Jenkins (24), left, warms up ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
7 / 9
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-1 lead over Cavaliers in NBA playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers hosts Detroit Pistons for Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
8 / 9
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-1 lead over Cavaliers in NBA playoffs
Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson (55) warms up ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
9 / 9
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-1 lead over Cavaliers in NBA playoffs
Detroit Pistons guard Kevin Huerter (27) warms up ahead of Game 4 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Monday, May 11, 2026.
And the Pistons were whistled for 27 fouls to 15 by the Cavs.
The Pistons' coach bickered about it postgame at Rocket Arena.
"It's unacceptable," coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the Pistons' 112-103 loss tied the series. "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. What was done out there tonight, it's frustrating, but we can't allow that to be the reason why. ... 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 Kenny [Atkinson] made his comments publicly about us the whistle's changed in this series."
Mitchell tied an NBA playoff record with 39 points in the second half. He made 13 of 15 free throws for the game.
"We feel like we're aggressive offensively, too," Caris LeVert, who led the Pistons with 24 points off the bench, said. "We feel like we drive to the paint. [Cade Cunningham] drives to the paint as much as Mitchell probably was tonight. We didn't get the call, we just gotta play through it. We could probably do a better job of taking care of the ball, I think. But sometimes the free throw disparity is going to be like that. We just gotta play through it, especially on the road."
"I can only speak for myself, but for the group it definitely was frustrating for some guys," Paul Reed, who scored 15 off the bench, said. "They felt like they were getting fouled, but we're on the road. We know that the fouls will go their way. They're home. So I feel like we should be expecting that."
Free Press sports writer Christian Romo contributed to this report.
