The Detroit Pistons have now etched their name in league history, officially securing the record for the longest streak of consecutive losses. This was solidified with a 118-112 defeat at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets.
The Detroit Pistons find themselves in sole possession of an NBA-worst record, enduring 27 consecutive losses. Their Tuesday night encounter marked the last opportunity to break the streak without establishing a new historical low. Despite numerous chances to evade this prolonged drought, Detroit succumbed to the Brooklyn Nets with a final score of 112-118 at the Little Caesars Arena.
The Pistons initiated the game with substantial momentum, surging to a 9-1 advantage and maintaining control with a maximum lead of 23-9 in the first quarter. However, their promising start dwindled, and the Pistons concluded the quarter with a 31-25 lead.
Brooklyn mounted a formidable comeback in the second quarter, outscoring Detroit 36-23 and seizing a 61-54 halftime lead. The Pistons encountered defensive challenges once more in the first half, enabling the Nets to shoot at an impressive 52.3% from the field and maintain a 50% accuracy from beyond the arc.
Maintaining their grip on the lead, the Nets dictated the tempo throughout the second half. Although Detroit briefly held a five-point lead in the fourth quarter, they witnessed the advantage slip away gradually as they grappled with converting crucial shots in the closing moments.
The home crowd expressed their dissatisfaction vehemently throughout the game, particularly in response to Detroit’s errors. The arena resonated with a chorus of “Sell The Team” chants, a sentiment that grew louder and more prevalent as the game continued to slip further out of Detroit’s control.
Cade Cunningham delivered a sensational performance for the Pistons, showcasing his prowess by scoring a game-high 41 points and securing 9 rebounds. Cunningham began the game with a modest 4 points in the first half, but he orchestrated a remarkable turnaround in the second half, exploding with 37 points. In the critical fourth quarter, the Pistons heavily relied on the talents of the 2021 No. 1 overall pick, especially as the rest of the team faced challenges in converting their shots.
Bojan Bogdanovic contributed 23 points for the Pistons during his 39 minutes on the court. Meanwhile, Jalen Duren marked his return from an ankle injury with an impressive double-double, scoring 12 points and securing 15 rebounds in his first game back.