John Loyer prepared Detroit Pistons players for "emotional day"

Detroit Pistons interim head coach John Loyer has said that he told his players to be prepared for an "emotional" match against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA on Monday.

Loyer was in charge of the Pistons for the first time following the sacking of Maurice Cheeks and led the side to a 109-100 victory at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit.

"I told them it was going to be an emotional day," The AP quotes him as saying.

"I told them I thought we can play, collectively, for longer periods of time better than we have."

The Pistons are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference.