Pistons Win 5th Straight

Image credits: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

The Detroit Pistons picked up right where they left off, tipping off their 27-game post-All Star break run with a 125-110 blowout of the San Antonio Spurs at Moody Center on the University of Texas campus Friday. The Pistons have won five straight games, all by double digits, and are 19-9 since Dec. 21. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 25 points and 12 assists, while Jalen Duren also had a dominant double-double with 21 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists.

Tobias Harris added 22 points and seven rebounds, and Malik Beasley scored 16 points for the Pistons. The Spurs were without former No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama, who was ruled out for the season on Thursday following a blood clot diagnosis. They were led by Keldon Johnson with 28 points and De'Aaron Fox with 27 points. The Pistons opened with a 13-2 run, forcing three Spurs turnovers while holding them to 1-for-3 shooting in the first five minutes.

The Pistons expanded their lead to 13, 30-17, with back-to-back Beasley 3-pointers later in the period. With Cunningham on the bench, the Spurs rallied, with Chris Paul capping a 19-5 run with a 3-pointer that gave them their first lead of the night, 42-41, midway through the second. The Pistons pounced in the third, opening the second half with a 16-0 run, and ended the period with their biggest lead of the night, 101-80. The NBA team's strong performance was largely due to their dominant interior play, with Duren and Cunningham forming a potent pick-and-roll lob duo.

The Pistons owned the paint coming out of halftime, outscoring the Spurs 24-6 at the rim during a dominant third that clinched the win early. The Spurs had no answer for Duren or Ausar Thompson, who grabbed four offensive rebounds in the first five minutes of the game and thrived in his usual roles as a lob threat and in the dunker's spot. Here are the match scores:

• Pistons 125, Spurs 110

The Pistons' playoff chances are looking good, with their current winning streak and strong team performance. Harris has been the epitome of efficiency, shooting 53.7% in nine games prior to going 8-for-10 against the Spurs. The veteran has stepped into a secondary scoring role since Jaden Ivey's injury, and he's back above 46% shooting this season after a sluggish start.

The Pistons' win over the Spurs marks their fifth straight victory, and they will look to continue their winning streak in their next game. With their strong team performance and dominant interior play, they are a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. The team's chemistry and cohesion are evident, and they will look to build on their current momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season. As the playoffs approach, the Pistons are a team to watch, with their sights set on a deep postseason run.

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