Cade goes for 42, but Celtics spoil the Pistons’ party

“I’m not going to pretend it didn’t matter. It was a big challenge, we all wanted to be part of that history, but it didn’t happen.” Those were Cade Cunningham’s words after Detroit fell one win short of the longest streak in team history.

They reached TD Garden with 13 consecutive victories, tying the runs from 1989–90 and 2003–04 – seasons that, for the record, both ended with a championship. Had they beaten the Boston Celtics, they would indeed have entered the franchise’s record book. But the 14th never came.

Boston won 117–114 in an NBA Cup game that leaves Detroit second in their group at 2–1. They now need a win on Friday against Orlando, who are 3–0, to advance to the quarterfinals. It was an exceptionally tight game, with 19 lead changes and 11 ties. Each team controlled a different area. Detroit dominated the boards 55–44, but Boston were far superior from three, hitting 20 of 43 for 46.5 percent, which ultimately decided the night. And if there was a defining name, it was Derrick White. Not long ago considered the fifth-best player on the roster and now the second because of injuries, he delivered his most complete – and above all decisive – performance of the season. He finished with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, went 6 of 11 from three, a perfect 3 of 3 in the fourth quarter, and scored 11 of those points in the final four and a half minutes.

Detroit were far from their best, though Cunningham once again played as a full-force leader. The guard posted 42 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. But one mistake left his team with no way back. With the score at 115–112 and four seconds remaining, he was fouled near midcourt in a play the officials deemed a shooting action. He made the first two free throws but missed the third. Payton Pritchard grabbed the rebound and was flawless from the line. Detroit had 2.4 seconds to try to force overtime with a desperate attempt, but they turned the ball over before even getting a shot off.

For Boston, with Jaylen Brown leading all scorers with 33, it marked their fifth win in the past six games. Spain’s Hugo González played seven minutes, spending most of them defending Cunningham, and finished with 1 point, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.

Detroit return home disappointed, but missing out on a 14th straight win won’t trouble them for long. Just two seasons ago, the franchise – with several of the same players – lost 28 straight, the worst run in its history. The progress is clear, and they remain near the top of the East with an excellent 15–3 record.

NBA scores from the rest of the night

• Charlotte Hornets 101 – New York Knicks 129
• Miami Heat 106 – Milwaukee Bucks 103
• Toronto Raptors 97 – Indiana Pacers 95
• Oklahoma City Thunder 113 – Minnesota Timberwolves 105
• New Orleans Pelicans 128 – Memphis Grizzlies 133

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