2023-12-27 03:00:00
DETROIT – Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons tried everything, but their losing streak continued Tuesday as they became the first team in NBA history to lose for a 27th straight time in the same season.
Despite a 41-point haul from Cunningham, the Brooklyn Nets won 118-112 at Little Ceasars Arena. The evening ended with boos and harsh injunctions from the supporters.
Detroit lost its 26th straight game last Saturday, against the same Nets, to join the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers in the history of mediocrity.
The Pistons are not in vain, however. With another loss Thursday to the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics, Detroit would join the 76ers with the longest winless streak.
The Sixers had lost 28 games in a row at the end of the 2014-2015 season and the start of the 2015-2016 campaign.
Detroit is still languishing in last place in the Eastern Conference with a record of two wins and 28 losses. Head coach Monty Williams is in his first season at the helm of the Pistons.
Even before the final whistle, fans were calling on the owners to sell the team (“ Sell the team! “), then the boos were unleashed and the players left the floor with their heads bowed, their faces hidden under white towels.
“Everyone must feel responsible for the situation we are in. We all have to face reality. “I was hired to change the culture here, so you could say I’m the one that should be pointed at,” Williams said. The players play with all their abilities, it’s my job to put them in a good situation.
It took Cunningham a full half before he woke up. The guard had only scored a measly four points before halftime. The third-year player, however, became the first Pistons player since Jerry Stackhouse in February 2001 to record at least 40 points in more than one game in a month.
Cunningham could count on the return of Jalen Duren after a 19-game absence due to an ankle injury. Duren recorded 12 points and 15 rebounds.
The start of the match, however, gave hope for the end of this sad series, the Michigan State players leading by 14 points in the first quarter (22-8).
But as the minutes progressed, Brooklyn came back into the game before taking the lead halfway through the second quarter.
Cam Johnson was the top scorer for the Nets with 21 points.
The Pistons started the game with a 22-8 run, giving their fans hope. The Nets, however, dominated the rest of the first half 53-32.
The return of Wembanyama changes nothing
Returning from injury, Victor Wembanyama could not prevent the defeat of the San Antonio Spurs against the Utah Jazz, 130 to 118.
Hit in the ankle before Christmas, the Frenchman posted a mixed performance with 15 points scored and 7 rebounds collected.
Established as the pivot, Wembanyama started the match with a 3-point basket then a block on Kelly Olynyk, followed by a alley-oop acrobatic. To which were added 2 rebounds and 2 assists, all in 5 minutes.
Rarely since the start of the season have we seen such ball movement in favor of the Frenchman.
At the break, the Spurs, behind on the scoreboard (64-60), did not benefit from the efficiency of the interior, with 10 points scored in 11 minutes.
After the break, the Jazz adjusted, defended themselves better against Wembanyama, entrusting their best offensive player Lauri Markannen (31 points) with the task of reducing the influence of the Frenchman. A success. Wembanyama played 13 minutes in the second half, but his effectiveness waned (2/7 on shots).
His teammates did not seem to be able to take over, the outcome could only be another defeat. A setback that annoyed legendary San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich.
“It’s time to ask some of my players for more consistency. Otherwise, I will be forced to make changes,” he said.
The French player, drafted in first position last June, regularly displays certain qualities (18.5 points and 11 rebounds on average).
The interior, however, has not yet found the key to relaunching the very young franchise. San Antonio has a string of setbacks, and has a largely negative record of 4 wins for 25 losses, making the Spurs the worst team in the Western Conference.
The Texans will have a double confrontation to play before the end of 2023, against the penultimate Portland, on December 29 and 30.
Elsewhere in the NBA
Magic 127 – Wizards 119
ORL : Franz Wagner had 28 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds in the victory.
WSH: Jordan Poole reached the 30-point plateau.
Pacers 123 – Rocket 117
IND : Quebecer Bennedict Mathurin recorded 10 points.
NEW: Great performance from Alperen Sengun with 30 points and 16 rebounds.
Hawks 113 – Bulls 118
ATL : Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 22 points coming off the bench.
CHI : Center Andre Drummond had 25 points and 24 rebounds.
Timberwolves 106 – Thunder 129
MIN : Anthony Edwards led his team in total points with 25.
OKC : Luguentz Dort had 20 points while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34.
Kings 113 – Trail Blazers 130
SAC : De’Aaron Fox had 43 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the loss.
BY : Anfernee Simons helped Portland create a surprise, with a 29-point evening.
Grizzlies 116 – Pelicans 115 (prolongation)
MEM : Ja Morant had 31 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
NOP : Brandon Ingram was the best of his team in the defeat, with 24 points, 7 assists, 4 blocks and 3 steals.
Hornets – Clippers
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