It was almost a moment made for a movie.
The worst team in the NBA, a 27-game losing streak, takes on the best team in the NBA on its home court, a place it hasn't lost all season, and slays the dragon, both figuratively and literally.
It could have been an inspiring film for the ages.
Instead, Detroit, the worst team in the NBA, found itself in another horror movie, but this one had a sick, sick twist.
The Pistons fell to the Celtics on Thursday evening, 128-122, in overtime after leading by 19 points in the first half. The franchise is now tied for the longest losing streak in NBA history (over two seasons) at 28. Detroit didn't do anything particularly different through the first 24 minutes. Cade Cunningham made shots like he did, the defense was fine and the Pistons still ran the ball a lot. However, Boston shot 39 percent from the field and 17 percent from 3 while turning the ball over 10 times. This was the first time in a long time that an opposing team felt like they were shooting poorly against Detroit.
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How did the Pistons get here? Where do they go next?
Once the Celtics tied the game to end the third quarter, it was a back-and-forth battle the rest of the way. The Pistons briefly trailed by six points late in the fourth quarter but showed some poise late in the game so as not to collapse in crunch time as they have for most of the season.
Detroit had several opportunities to take the lead with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, but veterans Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks — both of whom shoot better than 38 percent from 3 during their careers — missed several open looks.
The Celtics had a two-point lead with 4.8 seconds left when Bogdanovic cleaned up Cunningham's missed three-point attempt. Tatum missed a shot at the end of regulation that led to overtime.
In the extra period, Boston looked like a team that had played with intense moments before, hitting shots and playing without mistakes. The Pistons shot less than 40 percent from the field and were 1-for-6 from 3.
Go deeper
How the Celtics won 'toughest game of the year' in overtime to extend Pistons' streak
Detroit will face the Toronto Raptors at home on Saturday in an attempt to avoid loss No. 29.
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(Photo: Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
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