After just 50 games, the Detroit Pistons have made an abrupt change by firing their head coach Maurice Cheeks. The Pistons have gone 21-29 so far this season.
They currently sit at ninth in the Eastern Conference, and they are half a game behind the Charlotte Bobcats for the final playoff spot, according to SI.
Pistons president Joe Dumars described Cheeks' firing as a "difficult decision for the organization but we needed to make a change," according to NBA.
The Pistons have not made the playoffs since the 2009 season when they were swept in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Pistons were expected to be playoff contenders this year after their busy offseason, which involved signing forward Josh Smith and trading for point guard Brandon Jennings. Having two big men in Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond was also supposed to be beneficial to the team.
The Pistons will look to make the playoffs as Detroit assistant John Loyer fills in for Cheeks as the interim coach.
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