DETROIT — The Denver Nuggets put a halt to the Detroit Pistons' impressive eight-game winning streak, defeating them 134-119 at the sold-out Little Caesars Arena on February 28, 2025. This marked the second time this season Denver has scored at least 134 points against Detroit, with another similar win back on December 28, 2024.
Nuggets stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the charge, combining their talents to dominate the game. Murray finished with a game-high 31 points with acrobatic layups and crisp shooting from beyond the arc. Jokic closely followed with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 15 assists, coming remarkably close to posting a rare 20-20-20 triple-double.
Despite the loss, the Pistons, who had been riding high on their winning streak, showcased resilience. Cade Cunningham, the team's rising star, faced intense defensive scrutiny from the Nuggets' lineup, ending the night with only 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting, plus four assists and three rebounds. Denver's strategy focused heavily on containing Cunningham, forcing him to defer on offense, especially during the first half when he didn't manage to score from the field.
Denver's three-point shooting also played a pivotal role in the outcome of the game, finishing 17-of-31 from deep. Notably, Michael Porter Jr. added 28 points, shooting 6-of-7 from three-point range, which significantly impacted Detroit’s defense. Meanwhile, Christian Braun contributed 23 points, leveraging the defensive attention directed at Jokic to find open lanes and easy baskets.
Initially, it seemed as though the Pistons had the fight and determination to battle back when they trimmed an 18-point lead down to just one point by halftime. They entered the break trailing 68-63. Yet, the Nuggets reasserted their dominance during the third quarter with a staggering 27-9 run, pushing the lead to as much as 25 points. Murray’s scoring surge helped establish this cushion, where he scored 12 points within this decisive run.
"We knew we had to step it up and come out hard after what happened last night against Milwaukee," Murray said after the game. "We fought well, and as a team, we kept believing even when the game got tough."
The Pistons, on the other hand, struggled to find answers as the game progressed. Their defensive strategies did not have the desired effect against the seasoned Nuggets' offense. Coach Dwane Casey acknowledged, "You have to give credit where it’s due. They executed their game plan remarkably well, and we couldn’t find our rhythm especially on defense. We’ll need to regroup before our next game against Brooklyn tomorrow night."
On the night, Detroit’s bench made some impacts, particularly Malik Beasley, who contributed 16 points as the sixth man. Nonetheless, their starters were significantly outscored, tallying just 54 points compared to Denver’s starters’ 113. This inefficiency proved detrimental when facing such fierce competition.
The defeat marked the end of February for the Pistons, who recorded a month of 9 wins against 3 losses, showing significant improvement compared to previous months. Denver, claiming this victory, improved its record to 39-20, winning 11 of its last 13 games.
Looking forward, both teams will forge their paths, with the Nuggets finishing their four-game road trip against the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Pistons will dwell on this loss as they get ready to host the Brooklyn Nets for their fifth game within just seven nights.
Overall, this matchup not only highlighted the Nuggets' superiority but also spotlighted the challenges still facing the Pistons as they strive to maintain their place within the highly competitive Eastern Conference.