Can the Detroit Pistons avoid equaling the NBA record for longest losing streak?

There is no other way to describe the Piston’s loss on Thursday night than to use the phrase ‘snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.’ Indeed that’s just what the team did as they failed to put down a significantly weakened Utah Jazz team that was without many of its starters.

Pistons knocking on the wrong door

On Thursday night, The Detroit Pistons looked a sure bet to break their 24-game losing streak as they hosted the Utah Jazz who were on the second night of a back-to-back and were without the likes of Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George, and Talen Horton-Tucker. Even so, the Pistons were unable to get the job done and were eventually defeated by a score of 119-111. With that, the Pistons have now lost 25 consecutive games, meaning they are one loss away from tying the single season league record for the longest losing streak. If you’re wondering, it’s the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013-14 and the Cleveland Cavaliers of 2010-11 who currently hold the dubious honor.

What makes the loss even harder to understand, is the fact that the Pistons weren’t playing badly. From Cade Cunningham who continues to turn heads to Jaden Ivey and Marvin Bagley, all three players went beyond 20 points on the night, while the team itself shot 50% from the floor. On the other hand, the team committed 20 turnovers, an astounding figure that is made even worse when you consider the fact that the Jazz produced 23 points as a result. It was a display that nobody enjoyed, least of all the fans who made their feelings known as they chanted “sell the team” in the final minute of the game.

Pistons coach Monty Williams can’t believe it

Speaking post game, Pistons head coach Monty Williams couldn’t hide his shock at the result and more over the manner in which it was conceded. “I want to be careful with my words because this one hurts more than most of them,” he said following the loss. “A team that played last night gets 30 points off turnovers and rebounds. This one is unbelievably hard to understand how we can get outworked in those categories. That is absolutely on me.”

Are there any positives for the Pistons?

Yes, to an extent. For starters, a nod has to be given to Jaden Ivey who continues to prove that he deserves a starting spot in this roster. To be clear, this is the second game in which he has stepped in for Killian Hayes who is currently recovering from an illness. Needless to say, he took the opportunity with both hands as he went 9-of-16 from the floor with 24 points, seven assists, and five rebounds on the night in a performance that demonstrated how effective he can be on offense. There were also three steals and two blocks, meaning Williams and Co. may soon have to reconsider whether he should be starting on the bench going forward.

At any rate, it doesn’t matter that Ivey played as well as he did, and the same applies to Cunningham and Bagley i.e., the Pistons still lost. “We had a shot to win it and down the stretch, we weren’t solid enough,” Cunningham said. “Me personally, six turnovers, kills us. ...I didn’t keep anyone in front of me today. That kills us. I gotta be better. I’m kinda sick right now.”

Where do the Pistons go from here?

At this point, one has to assume that the entire organization will be focused on Saturday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. Facing an all hands on deck situation, the Pistons can at least take comfort in the fact that the Nets are not in a good place right now either, evidenced by their own four-game losing streak. Add to that the fact that they will be on the second night of a back-to-back and things begin to look a little more favorable for Detroit. Of course, there was a similar notion ahead of the game against the Jazz. None the less, there is literally no margin for error here, not to mention the fact that their schedule only gets worse toward the end of the year, with games against the Celtics, Raptors, and Rockets waiting.