Pistons Shock NBA's Hottest Team, Snap Losing Streak

Well nobody saw that coming.

Boston had won nine games in a row, while Detroit was on an eight-game skid. The Celtics had not only been winning, but they had been blowing teams out. They won their last three road games by an average of more than 30 points. The Pistons, on the other hand, had been out of most games by the end of the third quarter. So naturally, Detroit goes into Boston and gets a big W right before the All-Star break.

Obviously it's just win No. 13 for Detroit on the season, but it had to feel good, and no competitor likes being stuck in a rut. Jerami Grant, who hit what would be the game winner, called the victory "huge" multiple times as he and his teammates prepare for some time off. Dwane Casey said that he was proud of his guys and really felt good about the effort on both ends of the floor.

Grant led all Pistons with 24 points including the mid-range pull up to seal the win. Saddiq Bey and Cade Cunningham each added 20 apiece as well, showing what this team is capable of when its top three players are all on. Kelly Olynyk finally looks like himself again after battling back from injury and COVID and contributed 15 of his own points as he went 3-for-4 from downtown. Marvin Bagley III continued to do some nice things in just his second game as a Piston scoring six and grabbing six boards. He obviously didn't fill up the stat sheet, but he just looks like he belongs out there. The play of the night for the newcomer came on a lob from Cunningham off of a beautiful pick and roll that resulted in a posterizing dunk and an and-one opportunity. That could be a great sign of things to come.

Marvin Bagley punches down the alley-oop from Cade Cunningham 💥

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At the end of the day, tonight's win it just gives the Pistons something to feel good about heading into the break. Beating a streaking time like Boston on their home court can do wonders for a young team's confidence. No one is expecting the Pistons to win their final 24 games, and Casey said as much, but it's still a booster shot heading into the final third of the season.