Pistons vs. Nuggets Final Score: Poor start to second half proves too much to overcome

The Detroit Pistons couldn’t find their defense or second gear and the Denver Nuggets took advantage by defeating Detroit 134-121. The Nuggets used a 47-point third-quarter lead to effectively tie the game, although Detroit’s substitutes at least made it interesting, cutting the deficit to seven in the fourth quarter.

This was a game and a second half that likely left both head coaches angry with their teams. Detroit struggled with energy and execution throughout the game, but was able to stay in the game as Denver’s defense didn’t do much. But in the third quarter the wheel came loose.

Jamal Murray scored 21 points in the third period and Nikola Jokic scored 12 points. The Nuggets were able to get to the free throw line 19 times in the quarter, a total of 16 times. A disgusted JB Bickerstaff gave in and turned to his bench near the end of the third and fourth periods.

The combative Pistons bench decided to make the game interesting. The Pistons went on a 24-10 run in six minutes to cut their lead to seven points with 2:35 left, but that was as close as they got.

The Pistons led Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey by 17 points each. Cunningham did it in 18 shots and Ivey did it in nine. Tobias Harris didn’t appear, which has become the norm, and Isaiah Stewart had three points, four rebounds and three assists in his first game back after missing with a knee problem.

Jokic had a game-high 37 and Murray added 34, while Michael Porter Jr. had a season-high 27.

The loss means the Pistons finish their four-game West Coast swing at 3-1. They return home to face the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.