Pistons set franchise record with 15th consecutive loss, fall to Lakers by 26

DETROIT - With purple and gold sprinkled throughout the arena, Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena was historic, as the Detroit Pistons’ losing streak extended to 15 games, this time losing 133-107 to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Pistons are now enduring the longest single-season losing streak in franchise history.

Unlike previous games, the Pistons started out flat against the Lakers, shooting just 36% from the floor in the first quarter. Early on, the Pistons’ scoring load was left to Isaiah Stewart and Isaiah Livers, as both combined for half of the Pistons’ points in the opening quarter.

Off the bench, Livers finished with 14 points and three rebounds, while Stewart added 12 points and three rebounds. Leading the Pistons in scoring was Cade Cunningham, who finished with 15 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Rookie Ausar Thompson ended with 12 points and three rebounds.

Detroit’s defense on Los Angeles’ LeBron James was solid to start the game, as they held the NBA’s all-time leading scorer to 11 points on 5-for-11 shooting. However, James came alive in the second half to finish with 25 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. With James struggling to find his shot, the Lakers relied on the duo of Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell to get their offense going.

The Pistons had no answer for either of them as Russell finished with 35 points, nine assists, four rebounds, and three blocks. Davis added 28 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks of his own. The Lakers trio of James, Davis, and Russell were the only ones to score in double figures for Los Angeles.

Former Pistons center Christian Wood added 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench for LA, while Jalen Hood-Schifino added 10.

The Lakers dominated the Pistons in several facets of the game, including 58 points in the paint and fast-break points (22). Foul trouble also plagued the Pistons as they nearly doubled the Lakers in fouls with 31 compared to 17.

The Pistons will attempt to prevent the losing streak from growing when they head to New York on Thursday to face the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30.