The Detroit Pistons saw their longest winning streak in 17 years end on Friday night. They will attempt to start a new run in the second game of a back-to-back.
The Pistons had won eight straight before the Denver Nuggets handed them a 134-119 loss. Detroit will close out a four-game homestand against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.
Detroit simply couldn’t handle a powerhouse opponent that executed its offense with precision. The Nuggets shot 56 percent from the field and made 17 of 31 3-point attempts (54.8 percent). The Pistons shot 45.5 percent from the floor, including 12 of 37 (32.4 percent) from beyond the arc.
“They really test your discipline. They’re really, really unique,” Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of the Nuggets. “They’re not a typical NBA team. It’s great for us to have to face it, see where we make mistakes and then be able to learn and grow from it.”
Denver took control by reeling off 15 unanswered points in the third quarter.
“I thought that we came out and took some shots that we probably would take back and get the best possession shot,” Pistons forward Tobias Harris said. “They were making shots, some of our coverages were off. Give them credit, they made tough looks as well. …
“Overall for us, it’s a game to learn from. They’re an experienced team, a championship-caliber team.”
Detroit All-Star Cade Cunningham will try on Saturday to bounce back from one of his roughest outings this season. He was held to 11 points, on 3-for-12 shooting, and five assists.
“He just had a tough night tonight. … He’ll be better tomorrow,” Bickerstaff said postgame.
The Pistons had not lost since falling to the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers 118-115 on Feb. 5.
The Nets will also be playing the tail end of a back-to-back. They fell at home to Portland 121-102 on Friday, allowing the Trail Blazers to shoot 57.7 percent from the field.
Portland led 64-47 at halftime, and the margin never dipped below nine points in the second half.
“I have to be better to help them,” Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez said. “It is not the first time that we don’t show up from the beginning, then we wake up a little. It’s not good enough. This is not who we want to be.”
The Nets, who never had a lead bigger than four points, have lost three straight. On a positive note, Cam Thomas scored 16 points in 21 minutes after missing the previous 24 games due to a left hamstring strain.
“He got up 17 shots in 21 minutes. He got open, that’s what he does. … But again, I want him to score, play-make and defend,” Fernandez said. “We’ll hold each other accountable to be better. It was great to have him on the court, great to see that he was able to get those shots up. And I’m pretty sure that he wants to be better and wants to help the team.”
Detroit will be looking to sweep the three-game season series.
On Nov. 3, the Pistons held the Nets to 35 second-half points while collecting a 106-92 victory in Brooklyn.
On Jan. 8 in Brooklyn, Malik Beasley scored 23 points in a 113-98 Detroit win. The Nets were held to 38.4 percent shooting and their reserves were outscored by the Pistons’ bench 50-22.
