On Wednesday night, the Detroit Pistons faced off against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center and emerged with a convincing 113-98 victory. Malik Beasley led the charge for the Pistons, scoring 23 points and extending the team's winning streak to five games. This marked Detroit's eighth win out of their last nine games, pushing their record to 19 wins and 18 losses for the season.
The game was significant for the Pistons, as this victory over the Nets was their second of the season, showcasing their ability to clinch decisive wins against opponents. Notably, this win also represented their first five-game winning streak since March 2019.
Beasley was instrumental in this success. After struggling with just one successful shot out of ten attempts against the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this week, he rebounded strongly. On Wednesday, he hit nine out of 17 shots, including four three-pointers and scored 16 points by halftime.
Simone Fontecchio also played a significant role, adding 11 of his 17 points after the halftime break. The Pistons' bench strength was evident, contributing 50 points overall, with Marcus Sasser hitting five three-pointers and scoring 15 points.
Cade Cunningham demonstrated leadership with 13 points during his 23 minutes on the court. The Pistons' offensive efficiency was highlighted by their commanding 27-25 lead at the end of the first quarter, which turned to 59-49 by halftime due to a 12-point scoring streak just before the break.
On the other side, the Nets were severely handicapped by injuries. With key players like Cam Thomas (hamstring) and Cameron Johnson (ankle) already sidelined, they were also without D’Angelo Russell (shin), Ben Simmons (back), and Day’Ron Sharpe (illness). This left the Nets managing with only ten available players hitting them hard during the match.
Noah Clowney did shine for Brooklyn, scoring a career-high 29 points, but the team suffered their seventh consecutive home loss, marking their 14th defeat out of the last 18 games. Nick Claxton contributed 14 points, and Tyrese Martin contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds; yet, the team struggled, shooting only 38.4% from the field and failing to reach the 100-point mark for the tenth time this season.
The Pistons effectively closed out the game, leading by as much as 25 points at one moment. After Clowney's dunk closed the gap to 70-64, Detroit responded with nine unanswered points and ended the third quarter with a 91-70 lead.
By the fourth quarter, Detroit had established full control, and they pushed the lead to 100-75 after consecutive three-pointers from Fontecchio, Beasley, and Sasser. The game concluded with the Pistons comfortably securing their fifth consecutive victory.
After the game, Beasley remarked, "We managed to keep our composure and executed our game plan well," highlighting the team’s collective effort and determination as they face upcoming matches. Meanwhile, Clowney expressed disappointment for his team, stating, "It’s frustrating to be on this losing streak," signifying the urgent need for the Nets to regroup.
With the Pistons riding high on momentum, they will face off against the Golden State Warriors next, offering them another chance to showcase their improvement. Meanwhile, the Nets must work to heal their injuries and refocus for future matches, hoping to recover from this disappointing stretch.