Looking at the Detroit Pistons' record, it’s hard to believe there has been any semblance of momentum at any point this season. But heading into Saturday, the team appeared to be figuring some things out.
They had won two of their previous five games — defeating fellow two bottom-dwellers in the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets, and exchanging blows with contenders in the Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks (twice). Their offense was finally clicking, with the ninth-best offensive rating in the NBA in that stretch at 119.3.
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The Pistons were turning the ball over less and shooting it better, defending with more discipline, and looking more cohesive — an accomplishment for a team that suffered a record 28-game losing streak this season.