DFG: Detroit Pistons fall to Denver Nuggets - 2/28/25

The Pistons' 8-game win streak ends as Detroit gets smoked by the blazing Nuggets

Welcome to DROP, FLOP, & GYATT! Your source for fun and insightful post-game recaps highlighting moments that make you pump your fist, shake your head, and say, “Gyatt damn!”

All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately, that includes the Pistons’ impressive 8-game win streak. While we don’t do moral victories, there’s no shame in losing to the 3-time MVP and his supporting cast — especially when they’re shooting a blistering 56% from the field and almost 55% from deep. While Jokic himself didn’t make a single 3-pointer, the rest of the Nuggets’ starters clearly came to the D with a side of hot sauce, because they were RED-HOT from behind the longline.

To make matters worse, this game was easily Cade’s worst showing of the season. He finished the contest with an inefficient 11 points, 5 dimes, 3 boards, and 2 steals. In fairness, this was the first time in a long time that MotorCade stalled out, and he’s still averaging almost 26 points, 10+ assists, 5.5 rebounds, and nearly 2 stocks in February. Also worth noting, no team has held him to single digits in the scoring column this season, which, I’m pretty sure is impossible at this point — unless of course I just jinxed him.

In a way, the Pistons were on the receiving end of the same kind of smackdown they laid on Boston just two nights prior. The Nuggets pulled ahead early, and Detroit tried to catch up, but never quite had enough to overcome the walking triple-double that is Nikola Jokic (23 points, 17 rebounds, 15 assists, and 3 stocks), the flurry of Murray daggers from deep, and MP’s endless string of J’s.

Despite the blowout loss, the Pistons’ performance wasn’t all bad. They kept the turnovers to 10, racked up a whopping 15 steals, and managed to generate some good looks that just didn’t go down. Let’s get into it!

DROP

Win or lose, one consistent trend all season has been Malik Beasley. The man has been an absolute dawg who brightens the Pistons’ vibes like a ray of sunshine off the court, and rains down threes like cats and dogs whenever he takes the floor. His 16 points (4 of 11 from deep) led the team last night and his energy helped give them a huge boost early in the game. In the first quarter, Stew denied Joker’s punchline, setting Malik up perfectly for a transition three. Nobody leaves Beasley in the corner — or they shouldn’t anyway — because he’ll hit you with his dirty dance, Swayze-style!

FLOP

Unfortunately, this amazing defense-to-offense play was followed up by the flop of the game. Stew and Jokic were going at it in the paint when a little shove from Beef sent Nikola flying like an eastern imperial eagle — which just so happens to be the national bird of Serbia. Yeah, I looked it up. Even the Denver broadcasters admitted that his reaction might have been a bit “embellished.” More like, emBULLSHIT!

GYATT!

Hounded by the tenacious defense of Christian Braun, Cade struggled offensively all night, going 3 for 12 from the field. But this otherwise lackluster game had a silver lining so bright that I had to put on shades (Buffs, obviously). Late in the game, clearly frustrated, Cade caught Jokic sleeping in transition, swiping the ball and cutting to the rim before dropping the hammer on Zeke Nnaji’s noggin! Was this angry dunk Cade’s best jam of the year? Let us know in the comments!

After losing to the 2nd seed in the West, the Pistons have an opportunity to start a new win-streak against Brooklyn. It’s a game they should dominate, but the Nets are and 5 over their last 10 games, so what Detroit cannot do is underestimate them. Cam Thomas is back from injury and in D’Lo’s stead, their starting point guard has been none other than Pistons legend: Killian Hayes.

In the comments below, give us your best predictions of stat lines for Killian’s revenge game and Cade’s bounce-back game!