Pistons beat Raptors to snap NBA-record 28-game losing streak

The Detroit Pistons have doneit: They have won a basketball game.

For the first time since October28, the Pistons earned a victory after surviving a gritty gameagainst the Toronto Raptors, 129-127.

Detroit avoided monumentalinfamy by finally snapping a 28-game losing skid, which was tiedfor the worst losing spell in NBA history.

The Pistons were in a losingstreak, yes, but it wasn’t like they were getting blown out of thegym from the get go; they were competitive throughout games untilthey faltered at the end. Their past six games have been decided byjust 10 points or less, and it was only a matter of time beforethey could break through.

Detroit coach Monty Williamssaid prior to the game that the Pistons have been knocking on thatdoor for victory — they just needed to find a way to finally blowit open — and they did last night.

“I’ve been in a ton of lockerrooms... That’s a first for me… Guys were screaming. I was almostin tears,” Williams said after celebrating in the lockerroom.

It took a dominant game fromCade Cunningham, who had 30 points, 12 assists and 0 turnovers, toultimately put the Pistons over the top. He became only the thirdplayer this season with the same numbers, joining Nikola Jokic andTyrese Haliburton. Cunningham also became the first Piston to havea 30-10 game without a turnover since Chauncey Billups in2008.

“Tough times brought us togethereven more..." Cunningham said. "It's still early. [Monty] just gothere. I'm still young in the league, it's only gonna continue togrow."

The 22-year-old is glad that thenightmare is over, but stressed there is still a lot of basketballleft to be played.

“I think moments like that areimportant to know how to win games," Cunningham said. "I’m justhappy to be a part of a group of guys that don’t quit, staypositive and uplift each other.”

Center Jalen Duren backedCunningham up with 18 points and 17 rebounds as the Pistons had sixplayers in double digits.

In the end, Detroit’s 33 benchpoints (Toronto had 12) and eight-rebound edge (41 againstToronto’s 33) was enough to propel them to victory.

What’s Next For The Pistons?

With the monkey now off theirbacks, Detroit hopes to build off this win and head in the rightdirection.

The next thing they probablywant to do is avoid the worst single-season record of all-time (82games), which is held by the 1973 Philadelphia 76ers (9-73) and theworst single-season win percentage, which is held by the 2012Charlotte Bobcats (.106).

Despite all the losing, Detroithas young stars who have played well during these dark days.Cunningham, who was the No. 1 overall pick in 2021, is playing likean All-Star — averaging 23.5 points and 7.3assists.

His pick-and-roll partner Durenis also blossoming into one of the top young big men in the league.Duren’s chemistry with Cunningham is gradually maturing and willonly get better as the seasons go on.

Already imposing physically atjust 20 years old, Duren has also shown he lives for tough momentsafter confidently sinking two pressure-packed free throws late inthe fourth — which is rare for a big man.

And rookie Ausar Thompson, evenafter recently slowing down following Bojan Bogdanovic’s returnfrom injury, has shown that he has All-Star potential after goingon a tear to start the year.

Combine that with assets to makemoves and a players' coach in Monty Williams, the Pistons hope tobe in a position to turn it around.