Brooklyn, N.Y. — Malik Beasley delivered 23 points, Cade Cunningham contributed 13 points, five assists, and five rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons secured their fifth consecutive victory with a commanding 113-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
Detroit’s reserves played a pivotal role, outscoring Brooklyn’s bench 50-20. Simone Fontecchio led the second unit with 17 points, while Marcus Sasser chipped in 15. The Pistons have now won eight of their last nine games, improving their record to 19-18, a mark that pushes them above .500 for the first time this season.
Brooklyn’s Noah Clowney led all scorers with 29 points, and Tyrese Martin added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. However, the Nets’ struggles continued as they suffered their third consecutive loss overall and their seventh straight defeat at home.
Game Highlights
Detroit’s Performance:
While Cunningham had a quiet night by his standards—he leads the team in scoring (24.4 PPG) and assists (9.5 APG)—his teammates stepped up. Fontecchio, Sasser, and Tim Hardaway Jr. (10 points) played key roles as Detroit shot an efficient 52.3% from the field. The Pistons’ dominance on the fast break, where they outscored the Nets 38-13, was a decisive factor.
Brooklyn’s Struggles:
The Nets were severely shorthanded, missing six key players, including their top scorers Cam Johnson, Cam Thomas, and D’Angelo Russell. Without their key rebounders Day’Ron Sharpe and Ben Simmons, Brooklyn was outmatched inside, losing the battle in the paint 54-36. They also shot a subpar 38.4% from the field.
Turning Point
Brooklyn showed life midway through the third quarter, cutting Detroit’s lead to 70-64 with a 7-0 run. However, the Pistons responded emphatically with a 21-4 surge that included eight points from Fontecchio, highlighted by two three-pointers. By the end of the run, Detroit had built a commanding 91-68 lead, effectively sealing the game.
Notable Stat
The Pistons’ 19-18 record marks the first time they’ve been above .500 through 37 games since the 2017-18 season, when they started 20-17.
What’s Next?
Detroit: The Pistons return home to host the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.
Brooklyn: The Nets hit the road to face the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.
