Pistons make it interesting but fall to Nuggets, go 3-1 on western trip

Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News on Dec 29, 2024

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There was little optimism in Pistons Nation when Detroit began a four-game western trip on Dec. 21.

The Pistons were coming off their worst loss of the season, falling to the Utah Jazz. Facing four teams with playoff aspirations, the thought was that the Pistons might be lucky to steal one game on the trip.

But Saturday night's 134-121 loss to the Denver Nuggets marked the Pistons' only defeat; they finished the trip 3-1 and came close to completing another improbable comeback.

At Ball Arena, the Nuggets held a 24-point lead (115-91) early in the fourth quarter. At the time, the game appeared to be out of reach for Detroit, as coach J.B. Bickerstaff replaced all of his starters with reserves. But instead of folding, the Pistons embarked on a comeback.

With a lineup that featured Marcus Sasser, Wendell Moore Jr., Ron Holland, Ausar Thompson and Paul Reed, the Pistons cut their double-digit deficit down to seven with 2:22 left in the fourth quarter. Holland led all reserves in scoring with 12 points, while Thompson added 10 points and seven rebounds. Alas, the Pistons eventually fell and now stand 14-18.

The Pistons trailed the Nuggets 128-121 following Holland's 3-pointer, but the Nuggets finished the game on a 6-0 run.

The Pistons faced a Nuggets team that had just lost 149-135 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, Denver's second straight setback.

Detroit fought hard during the first half but could not find a defensive solution for Nikola Jokić. The three-time league MVP scored 19 of his 37 points in the first half, leaving the Pistons trailing 67-61 at intermission. Jokić did not register a triple-double but still showcased his dominance by adding nine rebounds and eight assists.

Jamal Murray scored 34 points on 12-of-21 shooting, 4-of-7 shooting from deep. Michael Porter Jr. added 26.

Observations and notes vs. Nuggets

— Isaiah Stewart returns from injury: After missing the last four games due to a hyperextended left knee, Isaiah Stewart returned to the lineup. He reverted to his role as Jalen Duren's backup, playing 16 minutes while recording four points, four rebounds, three assists and a block.

— Third-quarter blues: The Pistons played the Nuggets close until the dreadful third quarter. Detroit missed seven of its eight 3-point field goal attempts, allowing Denver to outscore the Pistons 47-28.

— Bickerstaff shows his support for Mike Brown: Before the game, Bickerstaff took time to show his support for former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown. Bickerstaff told reporters in Denver that the Kings' decision to move on from Brown was "disappointing" and "classless."

The Kings fired Brown less than 24 hours after their 114-113 loss to the Pistons Thursday night. He ended his coaching tenure in Sacramento with a 107-88 record. Brown won Coach of the Year honors during the 2022-23 season, when he led the Kings to a 48-34 record and their first postseason appearance since 2006.

Up next

The Pistons will play their first game of 2025 on Wednesday night at home against the Orlando Magic. The contest against their Eastern Conference foe will mark the start of a four-game homestand. Tipoff between the Pistons and Magic is slated for 7 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.