NBA five things: Detroit Pistons eyeing record, new player in ROY race, KD’s big night

Here are five things you need to know about the NBA for today.

Detroit Pistons could break losing streak record tonight

It has come to this for the Detroit Pistons; a loss tonight ties them for the longest losing streak in NBA history. Then if they lose again on Saturday, the record nobody wants  is all theirs.

Let’s just say tonight won’t be easy. And we’re being kind.

The Pistons play the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Why is that significant? The Celtics are 14-0 at the Garden this season. Detroit is 1-14 on the road.

They could break the record at home Saturday against Toronto.

Detroit Pistons next two games

• Today at Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV)
• Saturday vs. Toronto Raptors, 6 p.m. ET

2. Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets streaking the other way

The two hottest teams in the NBA meet tonight when the Denver Nuggets host the Memphis Grizzlies.

The defending champ Nuggets have won five straight and are battling Oklahoma City for second place in the Western Conference.

Memphis has won four straight games since Ja Morant returned from a 25-game suspension and is suddenly thinking it has a shot at squeaking into the playoffs.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to roll for Thunder

Speaking of Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to put up big numbers, scoring 36 points with eight assists to lead the Thunder to a 129-120 win over the New York Knicks.

Teammate Jalens Williams had a career-high 36 points and the Thunder pulled away in the final five minutes.

Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 33 points in his past five games and the Thunder jumped a half-game ahead of Denver for second in the Western Conference.

4. New player in the NBA Rookie of the Year race

Chet Holmgren has been consistent and his Oklahoma City Thunder team is battling for prominence in the Western Conference and that has made a difference in the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.

Holmgren is the favorite over Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs are one of the worst teams in the league and that is hurting Wemby’s chances.

The big surprise, though, is the rise of Jaime Jaquez Jr. from the Miami Head. Jaquez is averaging 13.7 points and shooting 52% from the floor. On Christmas Day, he scored 31 points, got 10 rebounds and shot 73% from the floor in a win against the Philadelphia 76ers.

That put Jaquez in the race. There’s a big gap in these top three, but we’ve got a long way to do.

5. Kevin Durant gets first Phoenix Suns triple-double

Kevin Durant got his first triple-double of the season in the 129-113 win against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Durant had 27 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists.

By Kevin Spain

Kevin has more than 20 years of experience leading sports coverage, including seven years as a senior editor at ... More about Kevin Spain