Detriot Pistons match worst losing streak in NBA history with OT defeat to Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics dealt the Detroit Pistons a 28th straight defeat at TD Garden on Thursday after recovering from a 21-point deficit to clinch a 128-122 victory in overtime.

The result moves the Pistons - who already set the record for most consecutive defeats in a single campaign - to within one loss of setting an all-time NBA record.

If they fail to beat the Toronto Raptors on Friday, they will break the Philadelphia 76ers’ 28-match skid throughout the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.

Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis were the driving force for the Celtics and scored 31 and 35 points respectively to recover Detriot’s season-high 21-point lead to take a 106-100 advantage in the closing stages.

With hopes of avoiding matching the NBA’s worst losing streak fading, Jaden Ivey came up with the goods with six straight points before Bojan Bogdanovic’s putback forced overtime against the Eastern Conference leaders.

Of his 23 points, Derrick White converted 10 of those in overtime with Porzingis adding six as the Pistons succumbed to their record-equaling defeat.

The result just about kept the Celtics perfect at home with a 15-0 record, which left Boston coach Joe Mazzulla impressed by the troubled Pistons.

"Each loss they're actually playing harder because they want to win," he said.

"It's going to happen."

Pistons coach Monty Williams added: "They bring a spirit and integrity and toughness to the gym every single day.

“As bad as they hurt right now, I hurt for them."

Elsewhere, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama scored 30 points with six rebounds, six assists and seven blocked shots as the Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 118-105.

Wembanyama produced the stats in less than 25 minutes on the court and matched former Spurs great David Robinson as the only rookie to do so.

Nikola Jokic put in a near-faultless display as Denver Nuggets overcame Memphis Grizzlies 142-105.

He made all 11 of his shots and all three of his free throws as he posted a triple-double of 26 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in the statement victory.

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