Head coach Monty Williams insists the Detroit Pistons’ historic losing streak hasn’t destroyed their work ethic.
The Pistons tied the NBA record for most consecutive losses in a single season when Brooklyn defeated them 126-115 on Saturday. They’ll own the dubious record outright if they lose to the Nets again Tuesday, with the rematch being held in Detroit.
Their 26-game skid matches the futility of the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers. When losing streaks spanning two seasons are added in, the Pistons are tied for second place on the list.
Philadelphia lost 28 straight at the end of the 2014-15 season and beginning of the 2015-16 campaign.
The Pistons could go winless in two consecutive months if they don’t end the streak this week. Detroit’s last victory came on Oct. 28 against Chicago. The Pistons travel to Boston on Thursday before returning home to face Toronto on Saturday to wrap up December.
The Pistons scored the first six points against the Nets, then nosedived. They were down 11 by the end of the first quarter and played catch-up the rest of the way.
Brooklyn was focused on ending its own losing streak, which had reached five games.
The Nets had seven players in double figures, led by Mikal Bridges, who racked up 29 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Nets forward Cam Johnson said the schedule could make it a little more difficult to beat the Pistons in back-to-back games.
