The Detroit Pistons have slumped to 2-16 on the year courtesy of a franchise-worst 15-game losing streak after falling to the Los Angeles Lakers 133-107.
Having finished the league’s losingest team a year ago, the Pistons again find themselves at the bottom of the standings and, given the low expectations surrounding the 2024 draft class, may have a ways to go before their fortunes begin to turn.
The Lakers were led by D’Angelo Russell (35 points on 13-of-17 shooting, nine assists) who became the first Laker since Magic Johnson in 1988 to have 35+ points and 9+ assists on better than 75 per cent shooting in a single game.
Anthony Davis (28 points, 16 rebounds) and LeBron James (25 points, eight rebounds) proved difficult to contain for the listing Pistons unit whilst Christian Wood (12 points, nine rebounds) and rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino (10 points, 3-of-4 shooting) also finished in double-figures.
A hot first quarter shooting saw the Lakers leap out to a double-digit lead early which grew to 17 heading into the half.
Any hopes of a Detroit fightback were dashed early in the third with the Lakers coming out with the same energy that served them well early with their lead growing to as high as 33 before the benches were emptied.
The Lakers shot over 51 per cent from the field whilst winning the battle on the boards and in the paint.
Cade Cunningham (15 points, 6-of-15 shooting) top-scored for the Pistons with Isaiah Stewart (12 points, 3-of-7 threes), Ausar Thompson (12 points, six rebounds), and Isaiah Livers (14 points, 4-of-6 threes) also finishing in double-digits.
The Pistons are Madison Square Garden to take on the Knicks tomorrow whilst the Lakers are in Oklahoma City.
