This is the kind of result that the NBA alone seems to have the secret to. On one side, the Detroit Pistons, dead last in the League (5 wins in their first 45 matches), were without Cade Cunningham for what was a second match in two days, at home. On the other, the Oklahoma City Thunder, best team in the Western Conference before the game (32v-13l), and above all the best away record in the entire league (15v-8l). The winner ? Detroit.
A small miracle which is as much due to the level of play not really consistent with what had been displayed this season by OKC as to the overactivity of the Pistons, overflowing with energy throughout the meeting. By imposing a sustained pace, Monty Williams’ men managed to highlight their pivot Jalen Duren (22 points, 21 rebounds) but also the accuracy of Bojan Bogdanovic (17 points) and the availability of Jaden Ivey (19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists).
Opposite, only one man existed: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), who tried to sound the revolt of his team after the break. An absolute necessity as the visitors had conceded… 46 points in the second quarter alone (70-61 at half-time). A certainly thunderous awakening but which did not inspire the partners of the Canadian leader. Like Chet Holmgren, very discreet (9 points at 4 out of 11, 12 rebounds, 1 block).
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Killian Hayes was in Detroit’s starting five Sunday in Cunningham’s absence. He only played 14 minutes for two points, accompanied by three rebounds and three assists.
Detroit’s victory (120-104) seemed clearly deserved after a match where the Pistons were more collective (27 passes against 17) and more aggressive. “We could have made excuses for this match against them,” Williams said afterwards. We just gave it our all. Bojan (Bogdanovic) and Alec (Burks) brought everyone together and mobilized them. I told my colleagues that it was great to be able to produce this kind of match after the defeat the day before (104-118 against Washington). »
For Oklahoma City, this is a brutal stop since the franchise remained on five successes. His 14th setback of the year allows the Minnesota Timberwolves to come back to level (32v-14d) without having played on Sunday. For Detroit, this success changes nothing, except that the dunce of the season now has six victories, including one of immense prestige.
2024-01-28 21:29:00
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