Pistons sack coach Cheeks after 50 games

In this Dec. 10, 2013 file photo, Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) talks with head coach Maurice Cheeks in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich. Detroit fired Cheeks on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, after less than a year as coach, with the Pistons languishing well below .500 despite offseason moves aimed at putting the struggling franchise back in contention. AP

DETROIT – Two straight double-digit NBA victories apparently weren’t enough for the Detroit Pistons, who sacked coach Maurice Cheeks on Sunday.

Cheeks had been at the helm for just 50 games, presiding over a 21-29 start to the season.

Despite the losing record, the Pistons entered Sunday just one half-game behind eighth-placed Charlotte for the final playoff berth in the lackluster Eastern Conference.

“Our record does not reflect our talent and we simply need a change,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores in a statement.

“We have not made the kind of progress that we should have over the first half of the season. This is a young team and we knew there would be growing pains, but we can be patient only as long as there is progress.”

The Pistons were just 6-10 after the first month of the season, then opened December with four straight victories.

That encouraging run was followed by a six-game losing streak after Christmas. With the Pistons trying to end a four-year playoff skid, big home wins over Brooklyn and Denver on Friday and Saturday weren’t enough to save Cheeks’s job.

“This was a difficult decision for the organization to make, but we needed to make a change,” Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said. “We have great respect for Maurice and appreciate his hard work.”

A replacement was not immediately named.

Cheeks had prior coaching stops in Portland (2001-05) and Philadelphia (2005-09). He has guided teams to the playoffs three times, but none won a post-season series.