It was a moment almost made for a movie.
The NBA's worst team, losing 27 straight games, takes on the NBA's best team on its home court, a place it hasn't lost all season, and slays the dragon, figuratively and literally.
It would have been an inspirational film for the ages.
Instead, Detroit, the NBA's worst team, found itself in another horror movie, but this one with a sick, sick twist.
The Pistons fell to the Celtics 128-122 on Thursday night after leading by 19 points at halftime. 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 in the first 24 minutes. Kate Cunningham hit the shots, the defense was okay, and the Pistons still turned the ball over too much. Boston, however, shot 39 percent from the field and 17 percent from 3 while turning the ball over 10 times. It was the first time in a long time that an opposing team felt like they shot poorly against Detroit.
Go deeper
How did the Pistons get here? And where will they go next?
Once the Celtics tied the game to end the third quarter, it was a back-and-forth battle. The Pistons briefly trailed by six points late in the fourth quarter, but showed some composure late in the game to avoid crumbling in crunch time like they have for most of the season.
Detroit had several chances to take the lead in the seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, but Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks — both shooting better than 38 percent for their careers — missed several wide-open looks.
The Celtics had a two-point lead with 4.8 seconds left when Bogdanovic cleaned up Cunningham's missed 3-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 previously played aggressive moments, hit shots and played flawlessly. The Pistons shot less than 40 percent from the field and were 1-for-6 from 3.
Go deeper
How Celtics win 'toughest game of the year' in OT to extend Pistons streak
Detroit faces the Toronto Raptors at home on Saturday and tries to avoid loss No. 29.
Required reading
(Photo: Brian Fluhardy/Getty Images)
