UPDATE: The Detroit Pistons narrowly defeated the Atlanta Hawks 99-98 at Little Caesars Arena on December 1, 2023, marking their second consecutive victory. Despite missing four critical free throws in the final moments, the Pistons held on to secure their spot at 17-4, the second-best start in franchise history.
In a nail-biting finish, Cade Cunningham scored an up-and-under layup with just 17 seconds remaining, pushing the Pistons’ lead to four points at 99-95. However, the game took a dramatic turn when Caris LeVert missed two free throws with 10.4 seconds left, allowing the Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker to sink a 3-pointer, cutting the lead to just one point with 1.2 seconds on the clock.
The Pistons faced another tense moment when Daniss Jenkins missed two more free throws, leaving only 0.4 seconds on the clock. The Hawks attempted a last-ditch alley-oop but failed, sealing the Pistons’ victory.
Jalen Duren was the standout player, posting a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Ron Holland also contributed significantly, scoring 17 points and grabbing six rebounds. The Pistons dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Hawks 60-34 overall, including an impressive 18-7 edge in offensive rebounds.
However, the Pistons’ performance was marred by their growing turnover issues, committing 22 turnovers in this game, which Atlanta capitalized on for 20 points. This troubling trend continues, as the team has now exceeded 20 turnovers in three consecutive games.
Cunningham, the primary ballhandler, has been under scrutiny for his turnover count, recording eight turnovers against the Heat and Magic, and six on Monday. The Pistons must address these issues to maintain their momentum as the season progresses.
As the Pistons look to build on this victory, fans are eager to see how the team will respond in their upcoming games. Stay tuned for more updates as the season unfolds!
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