Pistons cough up lead as Nets rally for stunning triumph

Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News on Mar 7, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

DETROIT — Coach J.B. Bickerstaff called the last 14 days "a helluva stretch." The Detroit Pistons spent the previous two weeks facing some of the league's top playoff-caliber teams, including two games against the San Antonio Spurs. They finished the stretch with a 3-3 record, and each game provided Bickerstaff with a blueprint of what the team needs to improve upon before the playoffs.

Playing to the team's standards for the full 48 minutes has been a top priority, but they failed to do so against the underdog Brooklyn Nets Saturday night. Detroit gave up a 23-point, third-quarter lead in a 107-105 loss at Little Caesars Arena. While falling to 45-17, the Pistons are on a three-game losing streak for the first time this season.

Nets forward Day'Ron Sharpe outhustled the Pistons for an offensive rebound and converted with a layup, cutting Detroit's once huge lead to four (103-99) with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter. A few possessions later, Nets forward Ziaire Williams nailed a 3-point field goal to bring the Nets within a point. He later connected on his second consecutive triple on Brooklyn's next offensive possession, which gave Brooklyn a 105-103 lead.

The Nets went on to outscore Detroit 61-43 in the second half. Tobias Harris led Detroit with his third double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Jalen Duren, who played through a back injury, finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds.

The Nets ended their 10-game losing streak. Michael Porter Jr. led Brooklyn with a game-high 30 points and 13 rebounds. Williams added 23 points off the bench.

The Pistons were without Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson for Saturday night's game. Cunningham is day-to-day with a left quadriceps contusion that is not considered serious. Thompson, however, could miss more than just Saturday's game with a right ankle sprain suffered in Thursday's loss to the Spurs.

____