DETROIT — In a hard-fought contest at the Little Caesars Arena, the Utah Jazz clinched a crucial 119-111 victory over the Detroit Pistons, pushing the latter perilously close to an unwanted NBA record. The Pistons’ 25th consecutive loss leaves them just one game shy of matching the league’s single-season losing streak record.
Kelly Olynyk, the Jazz’s dynamic forward, led the scoring with an impressive 25 points, playing a pivotal role in Utah’s triumph over a struggling Detroit team. The Jazz, notably short-handed without key scorers Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George, and Talen Horton-Tucker, showed resilience and teamwork in the face of adversity.
The Pistons, now at a dismal 2-26 record, faced vocal disappointment from their home crowd, echoing chants of “Sell the team!” in the arena. Cade Cunningham, Detroit’s shining light in this dark period, put up a valiant effort with 28 points and 10 assists, yet it wasn’t enough to avert the loss. Cunningham expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back, emphasizing that the Pistons are capable of playing “a much better brand of basketball.”
Utah’s victory was further bolstered by Collin Sexton’s 19 points and Ochai Agbaji’s 18, showcasing the depth in the Jazz roster. Despite the Pistons’ efforts, with Jaden Ivey adding 24 points and Marvin Bagley III contributing 22, the team’s overall performance was marred by poor shooting, particularly in the crucial final quarter.
Entering the fourth quarter with a narrow 90-88 lead, Utah capitalized on Detroit’s shooting woes, extending the lead to 100-93 with under eight minutes left. The Pistons’ struggle from the three-point line was evident, missing their first six attempts in the last quarter. A brief rally led by Bojan Bogdanovic, who nailed a three-pointer, cut the deficit to four points, but the Jazz responded swiftly. Olynyk’s three-pointer against his former team and Sexton’s crucial tip-in in the closing minutes sealed the deal for Utah.
Jazz coach Will Hardy praised his team’s rebounding effort, a key factor in their victory, as they dominated with 15 offensive rebounds. The win is particularly significant given it came on the second night of a back-to-back and on the road.
For the Pistons, the loss is another addition to a growing list of disappointments in a season that’s rapidly becoming historically significant for the wrong reasons. Cunningham acknowledged the team’s lack of solidity in critical moments, underlining the urgency to avoid becoming part of an undesirable history.
Both teams are back in action on Saturday, with the Jazz visiting Toronto and the Pistons hoping to avoid equalling the record in Brooklyn.
