The Detroit Pistons have been putting on a fantastic show to start the NBA regular season. They have a season-high 13-game winning streak, led by star player Cade Cunningham, rising star Jalen Duren, and their entourage. However, the Boston Celtics spoiled Detroit’s Thanksgiving holiday by ending their winning streak, demonstrating that they still possess some of their championship ways.
Boston Celtics Put An End To Pistons’ 13-Game Winning Streak
Boston hosted the Pistons on the Eve of Thanksgiving for a holiday matchup. They are Boston’s final NBA Cup game of the group stage. The winning streak was an impressive run for November basketball and unexpected to those unfamiliar with recent Detroit basketball. The classic, hard-nosed, gritty, and aggressive play style has been intertwined with the franchise’s style of play, both historically and in the modern NBA. This led to fantastic wins over Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Dallas, and Indiana. Plus, they won an overtime win over Washington.
Many of their wins were a result of great performances from Cunningham and Duren. Multiple 30-point nights from Cunningham and Duren led the way during their winning streak, yet they couldn’t maintain it through the holiday. Heading into Boston, the Pistons were 15-2 and on their final game of a four-game road stretch. The Celtics played tremendous defense throughout the game while holding the lead late into the fourth quarter. As the Pistons marched back, stellar plays from Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard foiled any hopes of a comeback. However, the game came down to the final moments.
Winning Time Is Celtics Time
Boston proved to be too much for Detroit to manage when it mattered most. Even with little contributions from Boston’s bench, the 33-point and 27-point performances out of Brown and White carried this team. Not to mention Pritchard going four of seven from three-point range. The Celtics did well to hold the lead late into the fourth as they were trailing at halftime. When it all comes down to the final possessions, the previous forty-six minutes are inconsequential in a close game. Clutch time always comes down to play styles and matchups or mismatches.
As mentioned earlier, Detroit has a gritty and aggressive style of play on both offense and defense. Fortunately for Boston, they have an illustrious history of playing exceptional defense, particularly in close games. As this game reached the closing minutes, the score was tight, and Boston needed to show that stellar defense. Detroit’s franchise-tying 13-game winning streak hung in the balance. The final minute of regulation consisted of several free-throw attempts and immaculate Boston defense. Boston cemented their victory with a defensive stop. Ending the Pistons’ winning streak. Even without many of the pieces from the championship team, Boston demonstrated that they still possess their tough defense and winning ways.
Featured Image: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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