The Detroit Pistons continued their unexpected surge, dismantling the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics 117-97 on Wednesday to extend their winning streak to eight games. The loss snapped Boston’s six-game win streak and reinforced Detroit’s remarkable turnaround this season.
Malik Beasley led the Pistons with 26 points off the bench, sinking six of 11 attempts from three-point range. Cade Cunningham contributed 21 points and 11 assists, securing his 26th double-double of the season. Detroit’s aggressive defense forced 19 Celtics turnovers, which they converted into 24 points.
Boston, despite trailing by 15 in the first half, managed to tie the game 55-55 at halftime. However, the Pistons tightened their defense in the third quarter, regaining control and heading into the final period with a commanding 90-79 lead.
“It’s a great feeling,” Cunningham said about the team’s first eight-game win streak since 2008. With a 33-26 record, the Pistons have already surpassed their win total from the last two seasons combined.
“To see it coming to fruition now is a great thing,” Cunningham added. “I’m happy for the city, but I’m not satisfied. The city wants championships, and we’re slowly building toward that.”
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 27 points, but the Celtics struggled without All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, who was sidelined with a left thigh contusion.
In New York, Jalen Brunson put on a clutch performance, scoring 34 points to lead the Knicks to a 110-105 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Brunson took over in the final three minutes, scoring nine straight points after the Sixers had erased a 16-point halftime deficit to briefly take the lead.
His three-pointer with 1:28 left secured the victory for New York, which played without leading scorer Karl-Anthony Towns.
Mikal Bridges added 28 points, while OG Anunoby chipped in 16 for the Knicks.
Tyrese Maxey’s 30-point effort wasn’t enough for the 76ers, who played without star center Joel Embiid and suffered their ninth consecutive loss.
Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City bounced back from a loss to Minnesota with a 129-121 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 27 points, while rookie Chet Holmgren posted a dominant double-double with 22 points and 17 rebounds. After trailing by as many as 18 in the first half, Oklahoma City outscored Brooklyn 39-25 in the fourth quarter, using an 18-0 run to take control.
Day’Ron Sharpe had a career night for the Nets, finishing with 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks. But Brooklyn, playing without Nic Claxton (suspension) and injured duo D’Angelo Russell and Cam Thomas, couldn’t maintain their lead.
The Miami Heat responded to a poor shooting night in Atlanta by hitting 23 of 42 three-point attempts in a dominant 131-109 home victory over the Hawks.
Tyler Herro led Miami with 24 points and 10 assists, while Duncan Robinson matched his total with 24 points off the bench. Seven Heat players finished in double figures as they avenged their loss from two nights earlier.
James Harden erupted in the second half, scoring 27 of his 30 points after halftime to lift the Los Angeles Clippers to a 122-117 win over the Chicago Bulls. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Clippers.
With the NBA playoff picture tightening, the Pistons’ remarkable turnaround and the Thunder’s resilience highlight the race for postseason positioning. Meanwhile, the Celtics and 76ers face pressing concerns as they navigate injuries and inconsistencies.
