BBNBA: Kevin Knox scores 17 points to help Detroit end record-losing streak

AdamStrattonKSR

The last time the Detroit Pistons won a basketball game, you were still getting your Halloween costume together. Since October 28, for 28 consecutive games, the Pistons failed to come out on top, dropping game after game with seemingly no end in sight. The 28-game streak set the NBA record for the most consecutive losses in a single season and tied the Philadelphia 76ers who lost 28 games spread across two seasons between 2014-15 and 2015-16. That all ended on Saturday as the Pistons, aided by 17 points from Kevin Knox, defeated a shorthanded Toronto Raptors team 129-127.

One of the reasons the Raptors were short on players is the most recent NBA transaction that featured former Wildcat, Immanuel Quickley. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski dropped the bomb that IQ, RJ Barrett, and a 2024 second-round pick are headed to Toronto in exchange for OG Anunoby. As such, Quickley, Barrett, and Anunoby were not available for the Raptors, and the Pistons attacked lame prey.

Kevin Knox’s 17 points came on 7-14 shooting and 3-8 from behind the arc. In his second stint with the team, Knox is trying to rejuvenate his career after bouncing around to multiple teams and mostly riding the end of the bench everywhere he has landed. No better place to find playing time than the worst team in a decade. Still, success is success. Keep at it, Knox.

Multiple former ‘Cats record double-doubles in losing efforts

Anthony Davis put up Godzilla-like numbers on Saturday, but the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the surprisingly best team in the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves. Davis had 33 points, 17 boards, eight assists, four steals, and two blocks, but somehow that wasn’t enough to defeat the Wolves, despite Karl-Anthony Towns not having his best game.

Bam Adebayo also put up a monster double-double with 28 points and 16 boards, but similar to the Lakers, the Heat fell to the Utah Jazz 109-117. Tyler Herro added 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists himself on the day.

Julius Randle was the other former Kentucky big man to put up a strong double-double in a loss on Saturday. The hefty lefty had 28 points and 12 rebounds, but without freshly departed Immanuel Quickley, the Knicks fell to the Pacers, 126-140. Isaiah Jackson chipped in two points and a block for Indiana.

BBNBA Statistics for 12/30/2023

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Anthony Davis (LAL)	106-108 L vs. MIN	33	12-17 (1-2)	17	8	4	2	2	-6	39
Bam Adebayo (MIA)	109-117 L vs. UTA	28	7-13 (0-0)	16	3	3	3	4	-3	37
Julius Randle (NYK)	126-140 L vs. IND	28	9-22 (1-5)	12	4	0	0	5	-6	39
Tyler Herro (MIA)	109-117 L vs. UTA	25	9-22 (2-7)	6	6	1	1	1	-1	39
Tyrese Maxey (PHI)	92-105 L vs. CHI	20	8-22 (2-8)	0	7	1	0	2	-12	20
Kevin Knox (DET)	129-127 W vs. TOR	17	7-14 (3-8)	2	2	1	1	1	+1	31
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)	108-106 W vs. LAL	9	3-7 (1-4)	9	1	0	0	5	-23	9
Jarred Vanderbilt (LAL)	106-108 L vs. MIN	8	3-7 (0-2)	5	1	2	0	0	+10	8
Isaiah Jackson (IND)	140-126 W vs. NYK	2	1-1 (0-0)	1	0	0	1	1	-2	9
Immanuel Quickley (TOR)	127-129 L vs. DET	DNP-Recent trade