The Detroit Pistons have finally solved the Cleveland Cavaliers puzzle and made history along the way.
Tim Hardaway Jr. erupted for a season-high 32 points and the Cade Cunningham-less Pistons ended a run of futility over the East no. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers via 133-122 win, Saturday, March 29.
They have also made history by being the first team in NBA history to triple their win total form the previous season--from only just 14 games last year to reaching their 42nd this Saturday.
LOVE. THIS. TEAM.
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) March 29, 2025
Hardaway Jr. added seven threes to help Detroit notched their first triumph over Cleveland since February 2022 after losing the last 12 meetings.
Tim Hardaway Jr. has a season-high 29 PTS after this transition layup 👏
— NBA (@NBA) March 29, 2025
Part of a 13-4 run for the Pistons to begin the second half 👀
Ausar Thompson finished with a 18-point, 10-rebound double-double while Dennis Schroder had 17 markers and 10 assists as the Pistons racked up their third straight win.
Leading by 2 with 3:18 to go, the Pistons went on a 12-1 run to ice the game 🧊
— NBA (@NBA) March 29, 2025
Dennis Schröder and Ausar Thompson put the finishing touches on the run!
Even without Cunningham (left calf contusion) and Tobias Harris (right achilles tendinopathy), Detroit (42-32) banked on a strong 38-25 third quarter en route to posting their first winning season since finishing 44-38 in 2015-16.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell scored 38 markers in a valiant effort for a Cleveland side who saw their own three-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 59-15.
Up next for the Pistons are the Minnesota Timberwolves (41-32) while the Cavaliers return home to host the LA Clippers (41-31).
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]
