UPDATE: The Detroit Pistons narrowly defeated the Atlanta Hawks 99-98 in a thrilling finish at Little Caesars Arena on December 1, 2023. This victory marks their second consecutive win and solidifies their impressive 17-4 start, the second-best in franchise history.
In a frenetic final minute, the Pistons faced a barrage of pressure. Despite missing four crucial free throws in the last 11 seconds, they managed to hold on for the win. Cade Cunningham scored a decisive layup with just 17 seconds left, giving Detroit a 99-95 lead. However, the Hawks fought back, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker hitting a three-pointer to close the gap to just one point with only 1.2 seconds remaining.
With the clock winding down, Pistons’ Daniss Jenkins missed two free throws that could have sealed the game. The Hawks attempted a desperate inbounds alley-oop play but failed to score as time expired.
Jalen Duren was the standout player, posting a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Ron Holland contributed significantly off the bench, adding 17 points and bringing energy during key moments of the game.
Detroit dominated the boards, out-rebounding Atlanta 60-34, including an impressive 18-7 advantage on offensive rebounds. However, their struggle with turnovers continues to be a significant concern. The Pistons committed 22 turnovers, allowing the Hawks to score 20 points off those mistakes, nearly negating Detroit’s advantage in second-chance points, which stood at 19-8.
Cunningham, despite his solid performance with 18 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, was responsible for a significant number of those turnovers, tallying six on the night. This trend has escalated, as the Pistons have now exceeded 20 turnovers in three consecutive games.
As the Pistons aim to maintain their momentum, they face a crucial stretch ahead. Fans will be watching closely to see if they can address their turnover issues and build on this hard-fought victory.
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the Pistons continue their season. Follow the latest at freep.com/sports/pistons and join the conversation on social media @detroitfreepress across various platforms.
