Detroit Pistons set NBA record with 27th defeat in a row, Ja Morant stars in Memphis Grizzlies’ overtime win

The Detroit Pistons now hold the unwanted NBA single-season record after succumbing to a 27th consecutive defeat in their 118-112 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

Cade Cunningham’s 41 points were not enough to prevent the Michigan outfit from surpassing the run of defeats set by the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers.

They are now one loss away from equalling the 76ers’ total of 28 that was set across the 2014-15 and 2015-16 campaigns.

Meanwhile, Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe were the stars of the show for the Nets after they both claimed double-doubles.

Pistons coach Monty Williams was philosophical in defeat and admits his future in the job could be on the line, despite joining the franchise at the start of the season.

“Nobody wants something like this attached to them, and the bottom line is it is my job. Coaches are graded on their records.”

He added: “Again, when you look at records, you think of coaches, but I’m sure the players don’t want that attached to the name on the jersey.

“Was it heavy? It’s been heavy for a while. That’s just the nature of this kind of losing streak and it’s not gonna change because we’re grading the level of it, we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do to change it.”

Star player Cunningham said that he deserves to take much of the blame for their 2-28 run, and lamented that he has not led the squad well enough in recent weeks.

“A lot of this load is trusted to me, on the court and in the locker room,” Cunningham said.

“Every day, I try to lead the squad, and I haven’t been successful at that – 2-28. It’s only right that I speak for it and be the face of it.”

The Pistons’ next chance to bounce back comes at the Boston Celtics on Thursday, while the Nets host the Milwaukee Bucks a day earlier.

Meanwhile, Ja Morant played a starring role in a thrilling 116-115 overtime win for the Memphis Grizzlies over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Morant scored 31 points that included an alley-oop dunk in overtime to make it four wins from as many NBA appearances this season, following his return from suspension.

Desmond Bane was also integral for the Tennessee outfit after scoring 27 points and also produced a crucial free throw that gave the Grizzlies a four-point lead with four seconds left in overtime.

The victory was all the more remarkable given that Memphis were able to wipe out a 15-point second-half lead for the Pelicans.

“We were very confident. We know what we’re capable of. We told ourselves, we’ve been here before. We were very confident.”

Zion Williamson was the Pelicans’ top scorer on the night with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram added another 24 points.

However, it was not enough to stop the Louisiana side from losing a second game in a row – both coming at home.

“For three-and-a-half quarters, our game-plan discipline was at a high level,” said Pelicans coach Willie Green.

“As the game started to get a little close, we get tired and we started to turn the ball over, not execute as well and we let them right back into the game.”

The Grizzlies will be aiming to build on this result at the Denver Nuggets while the Pelicans host the Utah Jazz on Thursday evening local time.

Brooklyn Nets 118-112 Detroit Pistons

Orlando Magic 127-119 Washington Wizards

Atlanta Hawks 113-118 Chicago Bulls

Indiana Pacers 123-117 Houston Rockets

Memphis Grizzlies 116-115 New Orleans Pelicans

Minnesota Timberwolves 106-129 Oklahoma City Thunder

Utah Jazz 130-118 San Antonio Spurs

Sacramento Kings 113-130 Portland Trail Blazers

Charlotte Hornets 104-113 LA Clippers