The Detroit Pistons can establish a franchise record by winning their 14th straight game when they visit the Boston Celtics for an NBA Cup game Wednesday.
Detroit extended its winning streak to 13 games by earning a 122-117 victory at Indiana on Monday. The win improved Detroit’s road record to 7-1.
“I don’t want to be dismissive and I understand what the accomplishment is and how rare and unique it is, but our focus has to be on Wednesday, practice and film (Tuesday),” Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff said following Monday’s win. “That’s where we’ll focus. We don’t take it for granted by any means because we know how difficult these things are to come by, but we’ve got to get to tomorrow.”
Caris LeVert came off the bench to score 19 points against the Pacers. He made two clutch free throws with 7.1 seconds left that gave Detroit a five-point lead.
“He just brings a different weapon,” Bickerstaff said. “He’s a guy who can create his own shot. He can get to the free-throw line. He can score at all three levels. … Defensively, he’s a pest. He does a great job being active with his hands, getting deflections, getting steals to help you close out and win games.”
The Pistons also won 13 straight games in 1989-1990 and 2003-04. Detroit captured the NBA title both seasons.
“It’s amazing,” Detroit’s Cade Cunningham said. “We play for the Detroit Pistons, a historic franchise. To be able to make history for a historic franchise like this is special and we’re excited about the opportunity going up against the Celtics in Boston. Tough place to play, a team with a championship identity, so it’ll be a great test for us and we’re excited to get out there.”
The Celtics may be without center Neemias Queta for Wednesday’s game. Queta exited Sunday’s game against Orlando in the first quarter with a left ankle sprain and did not return. The Celtics did not provide an update on Queta following the game.
Queta is averaging career-highs in points per game (9.3) and rebounds per game (7.9) this season. Luka Garza could get more playing time if Queta can’t play Wednesday or is limited by the ankle injury.
Boston went with a smaller lineup after Queta was injured against the Magic, but Orlando was without center Wendell Carter Jr. (left ankle sprain) and center Goga Bitadze (sore left ankle).
“Always advantages and disadvantages,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said of playing small. “The advantage is the speed that we could play with on the offensive end, the dribble drives, the pace that we can create. Defensively, we could pressure a little bit more. Obviously, there are disadvantages. But I think you play faster, so you’re just managing the sub patterns because I think obviously you exert more energy.”
Wednesday’s matchup will be the second time Boston and Detroit have played this season. The Pistons defeated the Celtics 119-113 in Detroit on Oct. 26. Boston’s Jaylen Brown scored a game-high 41 points in the loss. Cunningham led the Pistons with 25.
Cunningham leads the Pistons in scoring (27.1) and assists (9.6), and has been Detroit’s leading scorer in its last three games. Brown is averaging a team-high 27.9 points for Boston.
Detroit is 2-0 in NBA Cup games, ahead of the 2-0 Magic atop East Group B on points differential. Boston is 1-2.
