The Cavs gave the Pistons a dose of J.B. Bickerstaff's defensive medicine, yet Cleveland needs to consistently meet a standard its old coach set on D.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff strolls the court at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse like he’s running for office. Look one way, shake hands. Look another, big hug. Now look alive, because Cavs guard Darius Garland is beelining toward his old coach. They meet; they; embrace; they playfully shove each other.

Heading into this season, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons were closely linked to one another. It isn’t because they’re bitter Central Divisional rivals. Nor was it the fact that the Cavs own a double-digit winning streak against the Pistons.

Ahead of his second return to Cleveland, coach J.B. Bickerstaff is thriving at the helm of the Pistons' rebuilding project.

Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart was ejected on Wednesday night after he took out Indiana Pacers big man Thomas Bryant with a hard forearm randomly in the first half. Midway through the second quarter of the 133-119 loss in Indianapolis,

After watching his backup big man get ejected from the Piston-Pacers game, JB Bickerstaff explains what happened with Isaiah Stewart.

However, Stewart still has the propensity to let physical play get the best of him, and he held nothing back against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. These two teams have no love lost between them this season, harkening back to their past rivalry filled with fights and lots of talk.

For the second time this season, coach J.B. Bickerstaff left Cleveland with a defeat, as the Pistons lost, 110-91.

Franz Wagner scored 25 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, Paolo Banchero had 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and the Orlando Magic snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the Detroit Pistons 121-113.

Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris, left, Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, center top, and Pistons' Cade Cunningham (2) reach for a rebound in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) AP

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff reflected on his Cavs tenure and evaluated Cleveland's 2024-25 season during a reunion at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

JB Bickerstaff gave his take on Gilbert Arenas saying Cade Cunningham needs to leave the Pistons for a "big city".