DETROIT — The new year has brought a new mindset for the Pistons, after a disappointing start to the season. They could be playing their best stretch of the season, with three wins in their last five games.
Make it four in the last six.
The Pistons overcame a 22-point, first-half deficit and pushed out to a lead of their own in the third quarter, snatching a 126-116 victory from the Utah Jazz on Monday night at Little Caesars Arena.
After a dismal first half, the Pistons started the third quarter with a flurry, including a pair of 3-pointers from Cade Cunningham, who finished with a career-high 29 points, along with eight assists. Saddiq Bey chipped in 29 points and six rebounds. They combined for 10 of the Pistons’ 19 3-pointers, and as a team, they shot a spectacular 51% from beyond the arc.
The Pistons had an 88-84 lead entering the fourth quarter and Saben Lee started the period with a steal and breakaway dunk.
The Jazz (28-13) answered with a 9-0 run, with a 3-pointer from Jordan Clarkson (16 points) and a three-point play from Eric Paschall. Hassan Whiteside (21 points and 14 rebounds) made one of two free throws and Utah regained the lead, 93-90, at the 9:53 mark.
The Pistons responded with a 12-3 run, with a pair of baskets from Josh Jackson (11 points and six rebounds) and a 3-pointer and jumper from Trey Lyles (14 points, six rebounds and five assists).
After a jumper by Donovan Mitchell, who had 31 points and four assists, Cunningham continued his onslaught. Cunningham hit a 3-pointer and on the next possession, he added a three-point play, pushing the lead to 108-100 with 5:57 left.
Unlike several games this season when they’ve squandered leads, the Pistons held on down the stretch this time, with a 3-pointer from Joseph — who was 4-of-4 from beyond the arc — and another from Bey, to help put the game away.
The Jazz got within seven after a three-point play by Bogdan Bogdanovic to get within 114-107 at the 4:14 mark, and Mike Conley Jr. (13 points, five rebounds and eight assists) added a 3-pointer to get within six.
Bey knocked down another 3-pointer to push the lead back to nine, and the Pistons held on the rest of the way.
