Phoenix Suns beat Pistons, set franchise record with 18 straight wins

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5/AP) — It was a historic win for the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. The team beat the Detroit Pistons 113-104 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, extending their winning streak to 18 games. That beats the old franchise record of 17 straight wins set in the 2006-07 season. Cam Johnson and Cameron Payne both scored 19 points off the bench.

But the Pistons, who are the worst team in the NBA with only four wins, gave Phoenix a scare. After the Suns led by as many as 18, the Pistons went on a 17-0 run midway through the third quarter, cutting the lead to 80-79. But the Suns finished on a 7-2 run and finished the quarter with a six-point lead. The Pistons outscored Phoenix 30-18 in the quarter.

The Suns got off to a slowish start to the game in the first quarter before establishing a double-digit lead. Javale McGee had eight points while Paul added six. For the entire first half, the Suns shot more than 60% from the field plus made 6-11 from three-point land.

The Suns bench finished with 48 points. Deandre Ayton had 17 points and 12 rebounds as Phoenix improved to 19-3 for the season.

Phoenix won despite not having leading scorer Devin Booker for the first time this season. The two-time All-Star suffered a left hamstring injury in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.

Detroit did get within five points in the fourth quarter a few times, the last with 2:57 remaining at 104-99 on Saddiq Bey’s 3-pointer, but Jae Crowder connected from behind the arc to keep the Pistons chasing.

The Suns have not lost since Oct. 27, when Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes hit a 3-pointer as time ran out for a 110-107 victory.

Jerami Grant had 34 points for Detroit, which fell to 2-10 on the road. Cunningham — last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick — scored 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting.

TIP-INS

Pistons: Kelly Olynyk (left knee strain), Jamorko Pickett (G League–Two Way), Isaiah Livers (G League–On Assignment) and Chris Smith (G League–Two Way) did not play.

Suns: The Suns feel Booker’s hamstring injury is minor, but they still expect him to miss a few games. Coach Monty Williams said they’ll monitor him and see how he progresses. ... Shamet relaced Booker in the starting lineup and scored 14 points. ... F/C Frank Kaminsky (right knee), F Abdel Nader (right knee) and F Dario Saric (right knee) didn’t play. ... Williams was named NBA coach of the month for November. The Suns were perfect for the month, winning all of their 16 games.

UP NEXT

Pistons: Host the Thunder on Monday.

Suns: Travel to face Golden State on Friday.