DETROIT — The Pistons ended their NBA record 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, with an overtime loss at the Boston Celtics on Thursday. That tied the record for the longest losing streak in NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB history. Detroit did, however, set the single-season NBA record with its 27th straight loss earlier this week.
“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.
“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 finished with 28 for Toronto, which was playing the second half of a back-to-back. The Raptors traded O.G. Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn 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.”
The Pistons led 90-86 going into the fourth, and neither team was able to put together a run until back-to-back 3-pointers by Cunningham and Jaden Ivey made it 110-99 with 5:50 to go.
Toronto responded with an 8-2 run, including six points from Scottie Barnes, but Cunningham’s jumper made it 114-107. The Pistons got three straight stops against Siakam. Another jumper by Cunningham moved the margin to nine with 1:34 to play.
Siakam’s 3-pointer made it 126-122 with 17 seconds left, but the Pistons clinched the win from the line. Gary Trent Jr. hit a 3-pointer with a second left, but the celebration was already beginning.
“I’ve been in a ton of locker rooms my whole life, but that’s a first for me,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said. “Guys were screaming. I was almost in tears. I’m just so happy for our guys and for everyone…
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