The Detroit Pistons are turning heads in the NBA, having just secured their eighth consecutive win by taking down the Boston Celtics, while the Philadelphia 76ers continue to struggle, suffering their ninth straight loss at the hands of the New York Knicks.
## Pistons 117 – Celtics 97
This season, the Pistons are almost unrecognizable from the team that once held the record for the most losses in a single campaign with 28. Now, they’re a force to be reckoned with, demonstrated by their recent victory over the Celtics, the current champions who had been on a six-game winning streak. It’s worth noting that Detroit hasn’t achieved eight consecutive wins since 2008, making their current form all the more impressive.
The key to their success lies in the balanced contributions from their players. Malik Beasley came off the bench to score 26 points, including 6 three-pointers, while Cade Cunningham had a double-double with 21 points and 11 assists. Jalen Duran also had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Tobias Harris chipped in with 16 points and 9 rebounds. These performances capped off a great night for the Pistons in their hometown of Detroit.
On the other hand, the Celtics, missing Jaylen Brown, were outrebounded 32 to 51 and struggled with their shooting, making only 41.2% of their field shots. Jayson Tatum did his best to keep his team in the game with 27 points and 6 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Pistons’ dominance.
## Knicks 110 – Sixers 105
The question on everyone’s mind is, how much further can the Sixers fall? At the start of the season, they were considered title contenders, but now, with their ninth consecutive loss, they’re struggling to find their footing. Even without Joel Embiid, they pushed the Knicks hard in Madison Square Garden, at one point leading by 4 with just 2:42 left. However, a 9-point run from Jalen Brunson crushed their hopes of a comeback.
Brunson had a standout game with 34 points and 7 assists, supported by Mikal Bridges’ 28 points. Although the Knicks were missing Karl-Anthony Towns, they had enough depth to secure the win. For the Sixers, Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 27, and Paul George contributed 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, but their efforts weren’t enough to change the tide of the game.
## Bulls 117 – Clippers 122
In a thrilling matchup, the Bulls nearly overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter, only to be thwarted by James Harden’s clutch shooting. ‘The Beard’ hit a spectacular three-pointer in the final moments, sealing the win for the Clippers with 30 points (7 of 14 from the perimeter) and 6 assists. This victory was crucial for the Clippers, who had lost their last three games. Josh Giddey (21 points and 12 assists) and Zach Collins (21 points and 17 rebounds) led the charge for the Bulls.
## Rockets 118 – Spurs 106
The Rockets took full advantage of the Spurs’ misfortunes, including the loss of Victor Wembanyama, to secure a clear victory in their Texan showdown. By the third quarter, they had already built a 28-point lead. Amen Thompson was the most productive player for Houston, scoring 25 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Keldon Johnson and Stephon Castle each scored 22 points for the Spurs, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
In other games around the league, the Portland Trail Blazers edged out the Washington Wizards 121-129, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Toronto Raptors 111-91, the Miami Heat beat the Atlanta Hawks 131-109, and the Sacramento Kings won against the Utah Jazz 101-118. These outcomes reflect the ever-changing landscape of the NBA, where teams are constantly jostling for position and looking to make a push towards the playoffs.
