DETROIT Pistons extended their winning streak to 13 games — tying a franchise record — after pulling off a close 122-117 victory over Indiana Pacers on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Cade Cunningham powered Detroit with 24 points and 11 rebounds as the Pistons matched the longest streaks in team history, previously set by their 1989–90 and 2003–04 championship squads.
The surge comes just two seasons after Detroit lost 28 straight games, a skid that set the NBA record for most consecutive losses in a single season. The Pistons now sit atop the Eastern Conference at 15-2.
Detroit led by as many as 18 points early in the fourth quarter before Indiana mounted a late comeback. The Pacers came within two points, but Bennedict Mathurin missed a potential game-tying three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining.
Caris LeVert finished with 19 points for Detroit, while Jalen Duren posted 17 points and 12 rebounds. Jaden Ivey added 12 points in his second game back after recovering from a fractured left fibula suffered in January.
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 24 points, and Jarace Walker contributed 21 for the slumping Pacers, who continue to struggle without star guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram scored 15 of his season-high 37 points in the third quarter, Scottie Barnes had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Toronto Raptors beat Cleveland Cavaliers, 110-99, for their eighth straight win.
Ingram, who was acquired from New Orleans Pelicans last season, connected on 6 of 12 attempts in the third. His final basket, a 3-pointer with 1:20 left in the period, gave Toronto its biggest lead at 88-74.
Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell had 17 points but shot 6 of 20, going 3 of 12 from 3-point range, Jaylon Tyson scored 15 points, and Evan Mobley and Nae’Qwan each had 14.
In other results, Houston Rockets mauled Phoenix Suns, 114-92; Golden State Warriors clobbered Utah Jazz, 134-117; Denver Nuggets upended Memphis Grizzlies, 125-115; and New York Knicks edges Brooklyn Nets, 113-100./PN
