When Can the Pistons Snap Enormous Losing Streak?

When Can the Pistons Snap Enormous Losing Streak?
Fact Checked by Pat McLoone

The NBA season just crossed the quarter mark, and it’s already been a long one for the Detroit Pistons.

On Wednesday, the Pistons lost a home game to the Philadelphia 76ers, 129-111. It was the 21st consecutive loss for coach Monty Williams’s team, which won two of their first three games this season. The losing streak ties a franchise record for futility initially set in 1980 over the course of two seasons.

In other words, these are not your father’s “Bad Boys.”

While the Pistons have equaled their team mark, there are still a few teams ahead of them on the all-time losing streak list. BetMichigan.com – your source for the top Michigan sportsbooks - used ChampsorChumps.us to look at the streaks ahead of the Pistons. We also looked at the upcoming schedule to see possible spots to break the skid.

Longest NBA Losing Streaks

TeamYear(s)StreakStreak Breaker
Philadelphia 76ers2015*28vs. Lakers, 103-91
Cleveland Cavaliers2010-1126vs. Clippers, 126-119
Philadelphia 76ers201426vs. Pistons, 123-98
Cleveland Cavaliers2010-11*24at Warriors. 132-120
Charlotte Bobcats201223vs. Pacers, 90-89
Denver Nuggets1997-9823at Clippers, 99-81
Vancouver Grizzlies199623vs. Timberwolves, 105-103
Detroit Pistons202321TBD
Detroit Pistons1980*21at Rockets, 112-109
*Streak spanned two seasons.

 

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Looking At What Lies Ahead

The bad news for the Pistons is that it’s likely going to get darker before there’s some light. Back-to-back road games against the Sixers and Bucks, two teams vying for the Eastern Conference’s top seed, don’t look promising. Maybe Christmas can come early as the Hawks and Jazz are the only sub-.500 teams Detroit faces until the end of the month when a game vs. the Raptors could set them up to make the kind of history no one wants to accomplish.

Here is the Pistons’ upcoming schedule:

  • Possible 22nd straight loss: Dec. 15 at Sixers
  • Possible 23rd straight loss: Dec. 16 at Bucks
  • Possible 24th straight loss: Dec. 18 at Hawks
  • Possible 25th straight loss: Dec. 21 vs, Jazz
  • Possible 26th straight loss: Dec. 23 at Nets
  • Possible 27th straight loss: Dec. 26 vs. Nets
  • Possible 28th straight loss: Dec. 28 at Celtics
  • Possible 29th straight loss: Dec. 30 vs. Raptors

At 2-22, the Pistons are more likely headed for the Draft Lottery than the playoffs, although they might face stiff competition from Washington (3-20) and San Antonio (3-20) for the best odds to get the No. 1 overall pick. Detroit hosts the Spurs on Jan. 10 and then faces the Spurs on the road for the final game of the season on April 14. The Wizards already have knocked off the Pistons once during the streak, and the teams play three more times, including a Jan. 15 trip to Washington.

Speaking of odds, Michigan sports betting apps still list the Pistons on their NBA title futures boards. DraftKings has set Detroit at +100000, meaning a $100 wager would net a $100,000 profit.

Coincidentally, that’s the same odds DraftKings Michigan gives the Pistons for winning the Central Division, where they’re already 15 games behind the Bucks.

A more reasonable wager might be on the Pistons’ total wins for the season. DraftKings has set the total on that at 16.5 victories. The odds of going over that are +115, while the odds of finishing under that mark are -145.

Whatever bets you consider, make sure you have the best Michigan sportsbook promos

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Author

Steve Bittenbender

Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.

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