The Detroit Pistons finally ended their losing streak by defeating the Toronto Raptors and securing their first win in 29 NBA games after more than two months of waiting.
Detroit hadn't won since Oct. 28 and the 28-game losing streak was already an NBA single-season record.
A loss on Saturday night would have condemned the team to the longest losing streak in league history.
But the Pistons won 129-127 against the Raptors and increased their season record to 3-29.
Notably, Detroit won two of its first three games of the season. But after the 118-102 victory over the Chicago Bulls on October 28th, Pistons fans had to wait until December 30th to celebrate another victory.
The Detroit Pistons finally ended their losing streak by defeating the Toronto Raptors
The Pistons defeated the Raptors 129-127 and increased their season record to 3-29
Jalen Duren collected 18 points and 17 rebounds for the Pistons in Saturday night's game
Detroit had tied the Philadelphia 76ers' record of 28 consecutive losses, spread between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
The Pistons ended their winning streak one less than the record in the four major American and Canadian leagues set by the Chicago Cardinals during World War II.
“I've been in a lot of locker rooms my whole life and this was the first time for me.” It wasn't a relief. It was more like, “Thank God! Finally,” said head coach Monty Williams.
“I just have a lot of respect for our team and the way they achieve success every day. I think people thought it was okay for them to lose, but no, they came in with a great attitude and ready to learn.”
He added: “There was definitely a feeling of relief.” But the proverbial exhale never came. “We know we still have a lot of basketball left to play.”
Pistons owner Tom Gores also praised his team's character. “I’m proud of how our boys have continued to give gifts despite adversity,” he said.
“I know it was hard but they held their heads up and showed real character.” “The series is over but the hard work continues.”
Detroit had previously tied the Philadelphia 76ers' record of 28 consecutive losses
Duran celebrates the victory that ensured Detroit avoided two consecutive winless months
Cade Cunningham scored 30 points and dished out 12 assists as the Pistons avoided two consecutive winless months, while Bojan Bogdanovic contributed 19 points, Jalen Duran had 18 points and 17 rebounds and Kevin Knox II added 17 points.
Pascal Siakam led Toronto with 35 points. Dennis Schroder had 30 points and nine assists, and Gary Trent Jr. had 24 points. Scottie Barnes added 22 points and nine rebounds.
The Raptors were playing the second game of a back-to-back set. They lost by two points on Friday to the host Boston Celtics, who beat Detroit in overtime on Thursday.
Toronto was also short-handed after making a trade with the New York Knicks earlier in the day, giving away starting forward OG Anunoby and two backup players.
The Pistons led by 10 points in the second quarter and had a 52-44 halftime lead. Trent kept the Raptors close with his outside shooting in the third quarter. He knocked down three three-pointers in the first six minutes of the second half.
Bojan Bogdanovic added 19 points as the Pistons triumphed at Little Caesars Arena
Siakam tied it at 70 with a layup with 5:30 left in the quarter. Cunningham had 12 points and six assists in the third period before picking up his fourth foul. Siakam was even better, scoring 20 points on 8 of 9 shooting in the third period.
Bogdanovic made the final shot of the quarter, a 3-pointer, giving Detroit a 90-86 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Pistons held on to a 99-97 lead and went on an 11-2 run. Cunningham got it going with a layup. He also knocked down a three-pointer and set up Jaden Ivey for another long ball.
Barnes scored eight straight Toronto points for his club, making the score 112-107 with 3:59 left. That was as close as Toronto would get to the final minute. Siakam hit a corner 3-pointer with 17 seconds left to cut Detroit's lead to 126-122.
The Pistons then sank three free throws and the Raptors made two. Trent hit a three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left, but Bogdanovic intercepted the inbounds pass, ending the game.