Pistons win Game 2 over Knicks, stop record postseason losing streak

With a road win against the New York Knicks in their Eastern Conference playoff series, the Detroit Pistons snap their NBA-record 15-game postseason losing run.

With a 100-94 win over the New York Knicks, the Detroit Pistons ended their NBA-record 15-game playoff losing run, evening their Eastern Conference first-round series at one game each.

As the Pistons stopped the Knicks’ fourth quarter comeback on Monday, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham scored 33 points and collected 12 rebounds. Dennis Schroder contributed 20 points off the bench, including a go-ahead three-pointer with 55.7 seconds remaining.

Notching their first playoff win since Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics, the Pistons, in the playoffs for the first time since 2019,

Two days after the Knicks used a 21-0 scoring run to come back in Game 1, the Pistons were pushed to the finish in a fast-paced, physical battle at Madison Square Garden.

Though the Knicks had reduced the gap to eight heading into the last quarter, they led by as much as 15 in the third.

With 1:15 left, New York star Jalen Brunson scored 14 of his 37 points in the fourth and set up Josh Hart for a slam tying it at 94-94.

Schroder, however, quickly responded with a three-pointer that gave the Pistons permanent lead.

While Schroder and Jalen Duren connected at the free throw line to clinch Detroit’s victory, the Knicks went three consecutive possessions without scoring.

Duren got 12 points and 13 rebounds; Detroit’s Tobias Harris scored 15 points and grabbed 13 boards.

Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby were limited to 10 each as Mikal Bridges scored 19 for the Knicks.

We accomplished what we were meant to. Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff, whose club hosts Game 3 on Thursday, remarked, “And that was it.” Winning a game on the road to get home court was what we came here for.

“So we learnt from the fourth quarter the other night and attacked it with a businesslike attitude. We just followed orders, however.

Leonard rules Nuggets

Visiting Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Denver Nuggets 105-102 on Monday, even their Western Conference first-round playoff series with one victory each. Kawhi Leonard scored 39 points on 15-of-19 shooting.

Christian Braun and Nikola Jokic of Denver missed three-point tries to finish the game. Jokic ended up with a triple-double.

For Los Angeles, James Harden scored 18 points, Ivica Zubac 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Norman Powell 13 points.

From a seven-turnover game in the opening on Saturday, a 112-110 Denver victory in overtime, Leonard, 33, recovered. On Monday, he made his first six shots, missed a pull-up jumper early in the second quarter, and didn’t miss again until early in the fourth.

Leonard said after the game on TNT, “Tough fight.” “Playoffs are about this.”

Game 3 of the best-of-seven series moves to Inglewood, California on Thursday.