Detroit Pistons’ upset bid crushed by Denver’s 33-9 finish in 119-100 loss

For 38 minutes, the Detroit Pistons traded blows evenly with the best team in the Western Conference. The Denver Nuggets entered Thursday with 46 wins and a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a win. It looked like they would have to wait until their next game, until a late run allowed them to leave Detroit with a decisive win.

The Pistons took a 91-86 lead at the 10:32 mark of the fourth quarter. Denver dominated from there, closing with a 33-9 run to blow out the Pistons, 119-110. A 3-pointer from Rodney McGruder, who went 6-for-10 on 3s en route to 20 points and eight rebounds, with four seconds remaining kept the final deficit below 20.

Jalen Duren had a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds (five on offense), and James Wiseman (14 points, nine rebounds), Jaden Ivey (14 points, six assists), Cory Joseph (13 points), Eugene Omoruyi (11 points) and Killian Hayes (10 points, seven assists) also scored in double figures. Ivey was playing his first game after spending five days in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket past Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

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Nikola Jokic led all players with 30 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. The final score masked a game that was competitive through the first three quarters and featured 10 ties and 16 lead changes. Detroit’s biggest lead was early in the third quarter, when Omoruyi knocked down a 3-pointer to extend their advantage to 67-60.

Detroit went cold in the final quarter, shooting 6-for-18, including a 2-for-6 performance beyond the arc, while turning the ball over five times. Through the first three quarters, the Pistons shot 49.3% and went 10-for-21 from 3 while dishing out 21 assists against 11 turnovers.

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Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2023-03-17 01:41:50

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