In a dramatic showdown at Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets faced a formidable Detroit Pistons squad that left no room for another comeback story. Just days after pulling off a stunning rally against the Pistons, the Nets found themselves on the receiving end of a 138-100 defeat, snapping their two-game win streak and dropping to 17-48 on the season.
The absence of key players like Ziaire Williams and Day’Ron Sharpe was palpable for the Nets, especially with Egor Dëmin sidelined for the season. On the other side, Detroit welcomed back their dynamic All-Star guard, Cade Cunningham, who wasted no time making his presence felt. Cunningham orchestrated the game beautifully, tallying 21 points, 15 assists, and three rebounds, setting the tone for Detroit's commanding performance.
Jalen Duren complemented Cunningham’s efforts with 26 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Meanwhile, Duncan Robinson contributed a perfect shooting night from beyond the arc, adding 15 points on 3-for-3 shooting from deep.
Brooklyn's offensive struggles were evident despite Michael Porter Jr.'s 19-point effort in just 22 minutes. Rookies Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, and Ben Saraf chipped in with double-digit scoring, but the Nets couldn’t find the rhythm needed to challenge the Pistons. Saraf led the team with six assists, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.
Detroit dominated the crucial aspects of the game, holding Brooklyn to 42% shooting while capitalizing on 19 Nets turnovers to the tune of 29 points. The Pistons’ relentless pressure resulted in 26 second-chance points from 10 offensive rebounds, showcasing their tenacity on both ends of the floor.
Cunningham and Duren set the pace early, with both players starting the game on fire. Cunningham went 4-for-4 and distributed four assists in the first quarter, while Duren matched him with a 5-for-5 start. Their efforts led to a blistering 57.1% shooting performance for Detroit in the opening period.
Porter attempted to keep Brooklyn in the hunt, scoring nine points without missing a shot early on. However, the Nets struggled from the perimeter, going 0-for-6 from three in the first quarter and relying on a flawless 13-for-13 start at the free-throw line to stay within striking distance. Despite their efforts, Detroit led by 16 at one point and entered the second quarter with a 38-27 advantage.
The second quarter saw the Pistons pull away decisively. Cunningham spearheaded a 9-0 run that expanded Detroit's lead to 49-29 as the Nets’ shooting went cold.
Foul trouble added to Brooklyn’s woes, with Noah Clowney picking up his fourth personal foul and Porter playing cautiously with three. A flagrant foul on Nolan Traoré only compounded their difficulties.
Detroit continued to apply pressure, with Cunningham connecting with Duren for a lob that extended the lead to 30. By halftime, the Pistons held a commanding 73-40 lead, having outscored Brooklyn 35-13 in the second quarter. The Nets' struggles from deep continued, going 0-for-14 in the first half, while Detroit thrived, making nine of their 18 three-point attempts and shooting 53.3% overall.
Cunningham was nearly flawless before halftime, amassing 20 points and seven assists, missing his first shot only at the buzzer. Duren added 15 points, and together they nearly outscored the Nets by themselves. Porter and Saraf tried to keep Brooklyn afloat, but the deficit was too great.
Clowney finally broke the Nets’ three-point drought in the third quarter, but Detroit had already surpassed the 100-point mark with time to spare. The Pistons entered the fourth quarter with an insurmountable 32-point lead, ensuring a smooth path to victory.
As the game wound down, the gap never closed to less than 34 points. The Nets will look to regroup as they head to Atlanta to face the Hawks, kicking off a two-game road trip.