The Detroit Pistons pulled off a dramatic comeback Monday night, edging the Atlanta Hawks 99-98 in a nail-biting finish that showcased both teams' offensive firepower and defensive intensity down the stretch.
In a game that came down to the final possession, Cade Cunningham proved to be the difference-maker for Detroit, scoring eight of his 18 points in the crucial final 3:21 to secure the win. The Hawks had one last chance with just 0.1 seconds remaining, but Jalen Johnson's tip-in attempt fell short as the buzzer sounded, denying Atlanta a potential upset.
A Back-and-Forth Battle
The contest remained tightly contested throughout, with neither team ever establishing a commanding lead. The score stayed within five points for most of the game until
Caris LeVert extended Detroit's advantage to 74-68 with the final basket of the third quarter.
Jalen Duren anchored the Pistons' effort with a strong all-around performance, contributing 21 points and 11 rebounds, while LeVert added 14 points and made two crucial defensive stops in the final moments. For Atlanta,
Jalen Johnson led the charge with an impressive 29 points and 13 rebounds, while
Nickeil Alexander-Walker continued his recent hot streak with 26 points.
Clutch Execution in the Final Minutes
The closing stretch was a masterclass in high-pressure basketball. After Alexander-Walker's three-pointer tied the game at 82 with 7:06 remaining, Cunningham answered with a short jumper to put Detroit back up 91-89. LeVert then forced consecutive turnovers on Atlanta's next two possessions, converting one into a layup and drawing a foul on the other that resulted in two Cunningham free throws, extending the lead to 95-89.
The Hawks refused to go quietly, however. Johnson and Alexander-Walker connected on back-to-back three-pointers to tie the game at 95 with 1:12 left on the clock. Cunningham regained the lead with another jumper at 97-95, but Alexander-Walker answered once more with a three-pointer to make it 99-98 with just 1.2 seconds remaining. Cunningham's reverse layup with 17 seconds to play ultimately proved to be the game-winner.
Momentum Matters
The victory marked Detroit's
15th win in their last 17 games, demonstrating the team's impressive recent form. Atlanta, meanwhile, had won four of their previous five games before this setback.
Despite Detroit's relentless offensive rebounding advantage throughout much of the game, the Pistons committed 22 turnovers in the first three quarters, which kept the Hawks competitive and in striking distance.
What's Next
The Pistons will look to continue their winning ways when they visit the
Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, while the Hawks host the
Los Angeles Clippers in their next matchup.
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1.
Detroit Pistons beat Atlanta Hawks 99-98 - CBS News2.
Detroit Pistons vs Atlanta Hawks Full Game Highlights - YouTube
Sources
1. Detroit Pistons hang on to beat Atlanta Hawks 99-98 - CBS News
2. Detroit Pistons vs Atlanta Hawks Full Game Highlights - YouTube
