The Detroit Pistons ended a prolonged home-court drought with a spirited 118-112 victory over the Brooklyn Nets during Thursday’s NBA action, showcasing standout performances from Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham.
The win marks Detroit’s first at home since late January, breaking a string of losses that saw the team’s record dip to 10-52. Both Ivey and Cunningham erupted for impressive scores, contributing significantly to the Pistons’ long-awaited triumph.
“I told the guys, you just have to do enough to win the game,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said. “We had to dig deep, but we made enough plays down the stretch.”
Despite Brooklyn’s recent upswing, winning three of their last four, the Nets struggled against Detroit’s aggressive play, especially on the boards. The Pistons capitalized on 13 offensive rebounds, converting them into 23 second-chance points—a key factor that Nets’ players acknowledged affected the game’s outcome.
“The rebounding was the biggest difference tonight,” Nets center Nic Claxton said. “When we are letting them get that many missed shots, it is a big momentum changer.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets Updates
The Pistons’ late-game surge, sparked by a 9-0 run led by Cunningham and Ivey, shifted the momentum decisively in Detroit’s favor. This burst of energy and scoring efficiency underscored the duo’s critical role in the Pistons’ offense and their ability to close out games.
“(Ivey) is getting back to shooting the ball the way we know he can,” Williams said. “He needs to balance making those shots and getting to the basket, because no one can stop that kid from getting to the basket.
“Cade was just Cade.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Ivey and Cunningham’s synergy was particularly evident in the fourth quarter, where they combined for 26 points, propelling Detroit to maintain their lead despite Brooklyn’s attempts to close the gap. The Pistons’ strategy to play at a faster pace paid dividends, as highlighted by Ivey’s focus on sharing the ball and exploiting scoring opportunities.
“We talked about playing fast before the game,” Ivey said. “All the guys shared the ball tonight, but we were looking for each other.”
The Nets’ interim coach, Kevin Ollie, reflected on the challenge of overcoming early deficits, emphasizing the need for a more consistent performance from the start to avoid the pressure of having to mount comebacks.
“We got behind by 18 for the second game in a row,” Nets interim coach Kevin Ollie said. “We had the opportunity to come back in the last game, but we can’t keep living in that world. It just puts so much pressure on you to come back.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets Updates
As both teams look ahead to their next matchups, the Pistons’ victory offers a glimmer of hope for a squad eager to build on this success, while the Nets aim to rectify their rebounding issues and early-game setbacks.
