DETROIT, MI – The Detroit Pistons made the wrong type of history in a 118-112 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

With twenty seven losses in a row the Pistons set the new NBA single season record for losses in a row. They moved out of a tie for the previous record of twenty six straight losses by the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2013-2014 Philadelphia 76ers.

Head coach Monty Williams spoke on what the losing streak has meant to the young pistons team seeking for an end in sight.

“Nobody wants this attached to them. When you look at the record coaches are graded by their record and that’s the bottom line.” Williams has routinely placed the blame on himself during the extended losing streak. And he’s spoken candidly about the attitude of his players. Despite mistakes that may lead to losses, he knows his players definitely care about how they represent Detroit.

“Im sure the players don’t want that attached to the name on the jersey.”

Duren Returns

It seemed as if things would go the home teams way to start the game. Especially with Pistons big man Jalen Duren’s return to action after suffering a sprained ankle a few weeks ago. And he made his presence felt right away scoring eight points and eight rebounds in his first fourteen minutes of action. The team definitely missed what he brought to the table as the Pistons closed the first quarter leading 31-25.

“It’s pretty clear Duren’s effect on the game,” coach Monty Williams said. “I didn’t want to play him too much, but we needed him.”

But the second quarter saw the once fourteen point lead evaporate as the Nets began hitting the outside shot and tightened up their defense. Nets forward Cam Johnson came to life in a series of isolation plays scoring ten points and hitting both of his three point attempts. Johnson was a player some Pistons fans thought should’ve been the top priority in the last free agency. Johnson’s contributions helped the Nets take a 61-54 halftime lead.

“To have a start like that and let it go in the second quarter really put us in a hole,” Williams said. “This is something that’s plagued us all year. We just couldn’t do enough to overcome.”

The Pistons had a difficult time rebounding and hitting threes in the second quarter as they closed the half shooting just 21.4% from behind the arc.

History Is Made

But the third quarter saw a different energy from the home team behind the starting unit, especially Cade Cunningham. He had eighteen points in the quarter, scoring in a variety of ways from mid range, three and even received free throw attempts. And the Pistons cut the Nets lead to 88-85 with tension building in anticipation for the fourth quarter.

The Detroit fans got loud and chants of “let’s go Pistons” continued to ring through Little Caesars Arena.

“We appreciate it (the fans support),” Williams said. “We feel bad when we have the fans come out and it’s unfortunate we couldn’t come up with a win.”

They did their part to try and will the the Pistons on to victory. And so did Cade Cunningham who finished with forty one points, nine rebounds and five assists.

“It weighs on us every day,” Cunningham said. “But we cant jump off the boat. We need to stay together.”

Cade Cunningham felt it was necessary for himself to show up to the post game press conference instead of any teammates.

“Every day I try to lead the squad and I haven’t been successful with that. So I feel it’s only right I be the face of it.”

The comeback attempt ultimately ran out of steam and the historic losing streak of twenty seven games became reality. The overall NBA losing streak is twenty eight games which spanned over two seasons, but if the Pistons lose their next game they will tie that record.

As Cade Cunningham said after the game: “This sucks”.