San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
PISTONS CAN FINALLY CELEBRATE A VICTORY
The Detroit Pistons ended their NBA record-tying losing streak at 28 games with a 129-127 victory over the short-handed Toronto Raptors on Saturday night, as Cade Cunningham had 30 points and 12 assists.
The Pistons, who hadn’t won since Oct. 28, matched the Philadelphia 76ers’ record of 28, split over the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. They finished one shy of the record for the four major American and Canadian leagues, set by the Chicago Cardinals during World War II.
“I feel amazing,” Cunningham said. “We just kept battling. It’s been a long stretch, all these losses, but I’m just happy to be part of a group of guys who don’t quit.”
Jalen Duren had 18 points and 17 rebounds for Detroit (3-29) while Kevin Knox II scored 17 points.
“I’m just so happy we were able to get that,” Duren said. “We’ve been fighting hard for a couple of months to get one, and we’ve been through a lot of adversity.”
Pascal Siakam had 35 points and Dennis Schroder scored 28 for Toronto, which was playing the second half of
Pistons 129, Raptors 127
a back-to-back. The Raptors traded OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn (SDSU) to the New York Knicks earlier in the day. They received RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, but they were not available on Saturday.
“It was a very emotional day for everyone,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “I’m really proud of the energy our guys had, taking everything into account.
“I also don’t want to take anything away from what Detroit did. They played a really good game and hit some very, very timely shots.”
Timberwolves 108, Lakers 106: Anthony Edwards scored 31 points, Naz Reid added 21 off the bench and Minnesota held on to beat visiting Los Angeles on Lebron James’ 39th birthday.
Anthony Davis had 33 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists for Los Angeles, which has lost seven of 10 since winning the In-season Tournament. James, who was questionable for the game with a NON-COVID-19 illness, added 26 points.
Pacers 140, Knicks 126:
Tyrese Haliburton tied the Indiana record with 23 assists and had 22 points, becoming only the third player in NBA history with consecutive 2020 games in those categories, and the Pacers beat visiting New York.
Haliburton, who picked up his 23rd on a pass to Andrew Nembhard with 1:05 remaining, joined Hall of Famers Magic Johnson (Dec. 18-19, 1984) and John Stockton (March 1 and March 3, 1994) as the only players with consecutive outings of at least 20 points and 20 assists. Jamaal Tinsley set the Indiana assists mark with 23 against Washington on Nov. 22, 2001.
Mavericks 132, Warriors 122:
Luka Doncic scored 25 of his 39 points in the second half in his return to the Dallas lineup to help the visiting Mavericks beat Golden State.
Stephen Curry led Golden State with 25 points and seven assists. Chris Paul had a season-high 24 points and became the 37th player in NBA history to surpass 22,000 career points. The Warriors have lost three straight to fall to 15-17.
Bulls 105, 76ers 92: Demar Derozan scored 24 points, Coby White added 20 and
Chicago took advantage of NBA MVP Joel Embiid’s absence because of a sprained ankle to beat visiting Philadelphia in the opener of a home-and-home set.
Andre Drummond had 15 points and 23 rebounds for the Bulls. They’ve won five of seven and have taken both meetings with Philadelphia.
Jazz 117, Heat 109: Collin Sexton had 22 points, Keyonte George scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and host Utah ended Miami’s winning streak at four.
Jimmy Butler returned for Miami after missing the four straight victories because of strained calf, but left in the third quarter because of a foot injury.
Friday’s late results
Clippers 117, Grizzlies 106: Paul George scored 23 points, James Harden added 16 points and 13 assists and host Los Angeles closed a successful December (11-2) with a victory over Memphis.
Trail Blazers 134, Spurs 128: Jerami Grant and Malcolm Brogdon each scored 27 points and Portland took advantage of the absence of San Antonio rookie star Victor Wembanyama (rest) to split the two-game set.