Celtics extend Pistons’s losing streak with amazing comeback

Kristaps Porzingis (YouTube)

The Detroit Pistons’s remarkable losing streak has extended from 27 games to 28 games. Detroit tied the record for the longest losing streak ever on Thursday with a 128-122 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics.

The Philadelphia 76ers lost 28 straight games during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 National Basketball Association seasons. They lost their last 10 games of their 2014-15 season, and then the first 18 games of their 2015-16 season. All 28 losses for the Pistons have come during the 2023-24 NBA season.

What we saw on Thursday was an amazing comeback. The Pistons had a 21 point lead (66-45) with 15.1 seconds left in the first half, before they were outscored 83-56 over the last 29 minutes and 15 seconds of the game.

Detroit actually had a strong last two minutes to force overtime. Boston took a 106-100 lead with one minute and 56 seconds left, before the Pistons outscored the Celtics 8-2.

Four Celtics reached double figures in points. Center Kristaps Porzingis of Liepaja, Latvia scored 35 points, forward Jayson Tatum of St. Louis, Missouri had 31 points, guard Derrick White of Parker, Colorado scored 23 points, and guard Jrue Holiday of Los Angeles, California had 12 points. Tatum had the double-double as he added 10 assists. In the five minute overtime, White made a key three-point shot from 27 feet and then a key layup.

Heading into the game, the Celtics were actually a 17-point favourite, and the fact this game needed overtime at all was mind boggling. The Celtics were undefeated at home, while the Pistons only have won one game on the road all season long. Detroit next plays Toronto on Saturday.