Historic Overtime Thriller: Pistons Tie NBA Losing Streak Record

In a half that hinted at one of the greatest upsets in NBA history, the Detroit Pistons faced the Boston Celtics on Thursday, ultimately succumbing in a dramatic overtime thriller. Despite holding a 19-point halftime lead, the Pistons couldn’t stave off the Celtics’ resurgence, resulting in a 128-122 defeat. This loss marked the Pistons’ 28th consecutive defeat, tying the infamous 2014-15/2015-16 Process-era Philadelphia 76ers for the longest losing streak in NBA history.

Entering Boston as 17.5-point underdogs, the Pistons shocked the TD Garden crowd with a remarkable first half, spurred by Cade Cunningham’s impressive 22-point performance. The Pistons’ 66-47 halftime lead crumbled in the third quarter, as the Celtics staged a comeback to tie the game at 82-82.

The fourth quarter witnessed a seesaw battle, with the Celtics taking their first lead on a Derrick White jump shot. In the final seconds of regulation, a contentious goaltending call favored the Celtics, giving them a 108-106 lead. However, the Pistons retaliated with a Bojan Bogdanovic putback, knotting the score at 108-108 and forcing the game into overtime.

In the extra session, both teams continued to trade blows, but a crucial Jrue Holiday and-1 play swung the momentum in favor of the Celtics, securing a 116-115 lead with 2:13 remaining. Despite the valiant effort, the Pistons couldn’t reclaim the lead, resulting in their historic 28th consecutive loss.

The Celtics, boasting the best record in the league, narrowly avoided potential embarrassment, prevailing in a contest that many anticipated would solidify the Pistons’ claim to the record. The Pistons now have an opportunity to make the record their own as they face the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, setting the stage for a pivotal matchup.