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Pistons lose OT thriller to top-ranked Celtics, tying all-time losing streak record

Pistons can’t finish off top team in East, tying all-time losing record

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

DETROIT – The Pistons tied the NBA record for the longest losing streak in history on Thursday night after losing their 28th straight game to the top-ranked Boston Celtics in an overtime thriller.

With the 28th consecutive loss, Detroit is now tied for the longest losing streak in NBA history.

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The Celtics trailed Detroit by 19 at halftime, tying the largest halftime lead of the season for Detroit, but right out the gate in the third quarter, Boston did what Boston does -- hit shots and play defense, taking the lead to start the fourth.

Detroit would fight back to retake the lead in the fourth, going back and forth with the Celtics to the very end. They were down two points with eight seconds left, when Bojan Bogdanović tied the game with a put-back bucket, sending the game to overtime.

The overtime period was back and forth, with some big buckets from Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, who fouled out with about two minutes left. In the end, the Celtics shooting was too much to handle, and Boston came away with the victory.

The final score was 122-128.

Pistons point guard and emerging star player Cade Cunningham had 31 points in the first half, picking up where he left off after his 41-point performance on Tuesday vs. Brooklyn. He finished with 26 points.

Celtics start Jayson Tatum had 31 points. Boston big man Kristaps Porziņģis led all scorers with 35 points, including four three-pointers, a season high.

Next up: Detroit returns home to play Toronto on Saturday, and then visit Houston on New Year’s Day.



About the Author
Ken Haddad headshot

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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