Cade, Duren stuff stat sheet as 8-game skid is halted
WASHINGTON D.C. – A 19-point Detroit Pistons lead was erased in the second half Friday night. But they prevailed anyway thanks to a big night from Cade Cunningham, picking up a win over the NBA’s second-worst team.
The Pistons (13-61) defeated the Washington Wizards (14-60), 96-87, at Capital One Arena to snap an eight-game losing streak. The two teams remain at the bottom of the NBA standings.
Cunningham picked up where he left off Wednesday in Minnesota, leading the Pistons with 33 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, despite a dismal 13-for-33 shooting night. Jalen Duren had a big game with 20 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks and three steals.
The Pistons closed the game with a 14-4 run, pulling away late following the Wizards grabbing a one-point lead after trailing the Pistons by 19 at halftime.
The Pistons closed the first half with a 12-3 run, and outscored the Wizards 36-18 after Flint native Kyle Kuzma cut Detroit’s lead to one at the 11:11 mark. The Pistons’ 19-point lead, 59-40, at halftime tied a season-high — they also led the Boston Celtics by 19 on Dec. 28.
The second quarter was one of the Pistons’ better quarters this season, as they shot 13for-17 (76.5%) while holding the Wizards to 32% (8-for-25). Momentum flipped in the third, though. The Pistons were outscored 35-21 as their defensive intensity slipped and Washington shot 14-for-20.
That momentum carried into the fourth, which the Wizards opened with a 6-0 run — with Cunningham on the bench — to take their first lead of the night, 82-81. Coach Monty Williams brought Cunningham back quickly, and he played the final nine minutes of the game. The Pistons’ first points of the quarter didn’t come until the 7:49 mark, though, on an offensive rebound and hook by Duren.
The Pistons finished strong, though. Duren replaced Wiseman two minutes into the fourth, and Cunningham checked back in a minute later. Duren was responsible for the Pistons’ first six points, including a pair of dunks that gave them the lead again, 86-83. Cunningham followed with a three-point play, giving them a sixpoint cushion with less than four minutes to go.
Win helps Pistons bid to not finish as the worst
Following Friday’s victory, the Pistons are a win behind the Wizards with nine games remaining on the schedule.
The Pistons still have several gettable games remaining despite playing seven of their final nine on the road. They host the 24-49 Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, and will fly to Memphis to face them again Friday. Saturday brings an away game against the 28-45 Brooklyn Nets, and they close the season on the road against the 17-56 San Antonio Spurs.
It’s still possible for the Pistons to avoid finishing with the worst record in franchise history, an honor currently held by the 16-win 197980 team. They’re also four wins shy of tying last year’s 17-win team.