Five things you need to know about the NBA today.
1. Detroit this close, but a loss is a loss
Detroit blew a 21-point lead and lost to the Boston Celtics 128-122 Thursday. It could have ended the losing. But the Pistons showed why they’re tied for the longest losing streak in NBA history.
They allowed the Celtics to erase a 19-point halftime lead … in the third quarter.
The Pistons have now lost 28 games in a row and are tied with the 2015 Philadelphia 76ers for the longest losing streak in NBA history.
They have one more shot at either taking sole possession of the streak or breaking it, at home Saturday against Toronto Raptors at 5 p.m ET.
| Rank | Team | Games | Season(s) |
| 1 (tie) | Philadelphia 76ers | 28 | 2014–15, 2015–16 |
| 1 (tie) | Detroit Pistons | 28 | 2023-24 |
| 2 (tie) | Cleveland Cavaliers | 26 | 2010–11 |
| 2 (tie) | Philadelphia 76ers | 26 | 2013–14 |
| 4 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 24 | 1981–82, 1982–83 |
| 6 (tie) | Vancouver Grizzlies | 23 | 1995–96 |
| 6 (tie) | Denver Nuggets | 23 | 1997–98 |
| 6 (tie) | Charlotte Bobcats | 23 | 2011–12 |
| 9 | Detroit Pistons | 21 | 1979–80, 1980–81 |
| 10 (tie) | Philadelphia 76ers | 20 | 1972–73 |
| 10 (tie) | New York Knicks | 20 | 1984–85, 1985–86 |
| 10 (tie) | Dallas Mavericks | 20 | 1993–94 |
| 10 (tie) | Los Angeles Clippers | 20 | 1993–94, 1994–95 |
| 10 (tie) | Houston Rockets | 20 | 2020–21 |
2. Tyrese Haliburton back in a big way
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton had 21 points and 20 assists and his six 3-point shots on Thursday, making him the first player since the 3-point shot was adopted in the 1979-80 season to accomplish a feat like that.
Haliburton was the hottest player in the league in November and led the Pacers to the NBA In-Season Tournament final. He cooled off some in December and the Pacers lost six out of seven at one point.
3. No Ja Morant, no win for the Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant missed the Memphis Grizzlies game against the Denver Nuggets Thursday and boy did the Grizz feel it.
Winners of four straight games, the four games Morant had played since returning from a 25-games suspension, Memphis was hammered by the Nuggets 142-105 as Morant didn’t play because of an undisclosed illness.
4. San Antonio Spurs get win as Wemby puts on a show
Victor Wembanyama scored 30 points and had seven blocks to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 118-105 win against the Portland Trail Blazers.
It was the third time Wembanyama scored 30 points in a game this season and the Spurs are 1-2 in those games. The No. 1 pick is still finding his footing, showing flashes of greatness at times. Wembanyama joined David Robinson as the only rookies to record 30+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 7+ blocks in a game.
Wembanyama outdueled fellow first-rounder Scoot Henderson, who had 25 points.
5. Top teams in the Western Conference meet tonight
A day after Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double with 26 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assist) without missing a shot, his Denver Nuggets will try to put a little distance between themselves and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder are a game behind Denver in the West and both are trying to move up on the Minnesota Timberwolves in first.
Denver has beaten OKC six straight, the last a 118-117 win a little more than a week ago.