Pistons clinch worst record in franchise history with loss to Bulls
The Detroit Pistons kicked off their home slate this season with a convincing 118-102 win over the Chicago Bulls back in October. The victory pushed their record to 2-1, showcasing what was believed to be growth following a 17win season.
So, so much has changed in the six months since.
That win ended up being the Pistons’ lone home victory until Dec. 30, when they snapped their NBA record-tying 28-game losing streak against the Toronto Raptors. Wins have been few and far in-between during the worst season any Pistons team has ever endured.
The Bulls closed Detroit’s home chapter in fitting fashion.
The Pistons committed 20 turnovers, off of which the Bulls scored 36 points. The final score of Thursday’s game — the Pistons’ home finale — reflected the simple math. They lost, 127-105, and have officially clinched the worst record in franchise history. With two games remaining, the 13-67 Pistons are guaranteed to finish worse than the 1979-80 team that finished with 16 wins.
Chicago had an 36-10 advantage in points scored off of turnovers, negating an otherwise solid offensive night for the Pistons, who shot 49-4% overall and knocked down 14 of their 35 3-pointers (40%). They were led in scoring by Jalen Duren (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Marcus Sasser (20 points, five assists).
Cade Cunningham (left knee tendinopathy) missed his fifth-consecutive game after entering the day with a “questionable” injury designation.
After facing a nine-point deficit at halftime, the Pistons opened the third period with backto-back turnovers that allowed Chicago to push the lead to double-digits for good. A 3pointer from DeMar DeRozan (game-high 39 points, seven assists) extended the Bulls’ lead to 15 midway through the period.
The Pistons’ final two games will be played in Texas — they’ll fly to Dallas to take on the red hot Mavericks on Friday before concluding the season with a match against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Pistons end home slate in familiar fashion
In a wildly unpredictable season, the Pistons have done one thing with consistency — turn the ball over. They averaged 15.3 per game going into Thursday, tied for second-highest in the league. They topped that in less than three quarters against Chicago, as Sasser committed their 16th with 5 minutes left in the third.
In total, Little Caesars Arena saw seven wins this season.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him @omarisankofa.